...among the best land masses in the world, says London

"On a per capita basis, Tobago ranks among the best land masses in the world where athletics is concerned, and you must be proud of that."

Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Chief Secretary Orville London was a very proud man at Cafe Coco, in Crown Point, Tobago last Friday. He was speaking at a function held in honour of the 11 Tobago athletes who represented Trinidad and Tobago at the Carifta Games in Bermuda, last month. London highlighted the successes of Tobago track and field athletes.

"Sometimes, we as Tobagonians spend so much time thinking about those things that we have not yet done, and those heights that we have not yet achieved, that we do not take time to really savour our triumphs. The last census, released just a couple weeks ago, has us just above 56,000. At 56,000, to be able to produce World Championship medallists Renny Quow, our hurdler (Josanne Lucas), to be able to produce Carifta medallists--four gold medals...we in fact, maybe, are doing better than many of the metropolitan countries of this world."

The most recent global track and field success for Tobago came at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu, South Korea, Kelly-Ann Baptiste bagging bronze in the women's 100 metres dash.

Last Friday, regional performances were recognised.

At Carifta 2012, Kenejah Williams earned gold in the boys' under-17 discus and silver in the shot put. Mark London captured the boys' under-20 800m title and secured bronze in the 1500m. Chelsea James struck gold in the girls' under-17 shot put with a Games record throw of 14.02 metres. And Andwuelle Wright topped the boys' under-17 long jump field.

Nicholas Douglas and Atiba Wright were also among the medals, claiming bronze in the boys' under-17 100m and boys' under-20 long jump, respectively. And Ron Wright and Douglas were part of the boys' under-17 4x100m relay team that copped third spot. The four Tobago athletes who did not enjoy top-three finishes in Bermuda--Britney Bedlow, Edson Moses, Kuniba Stewart and Akim Phillips--were also honoured last Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the 11 athletes, Mark London thanked the THA for publicly acknowledging their efforts.

"I would say that we surely deserved it, because we went out there and did our best and brought back a lot of medals, which was a very great achievement for all of us. We made Trinidad and Tobago proud, and surely Tobago. So thank you."

THA Assistant Secretary with responsibility for Youth Affairs and Sport, Huey Cadette attended the 2012 Carifta Games.

"The weather in Bermuda was not like our weather here. It was about 16 degrees (Celsius), extremely cold. What you saw from our athletes in order to compete at the level that they did and perform at the level that they did, despite these conditions, spoke to excellence on their part. It spoke to a determination, it spoke to an ability to rise above challenges. I really want to give kudos to them, I want to give kudos to their coaches, I want to give kudos to their parents."

Orville London said the THA will do all in its power to ensure that Tobago athletes excel.

"We are committed to provide funding to support young, talented athletes, so that what they need in order to develop their potential will be provided."

The Chief Secretary urged the 11 Carifta athletes to not get swell-headed.

"Too often we have seen young people get carried away by their successes at the lower levels and just fizzle out. We don't want no fizzlers at this point in time.

"You have demonstrated," London continued, "that you have capacity. Allow this to strengthen your sinews so that you will be able to be motivated. In other words, Tobago depends on you. You carry the burden of Tobago, you carry the mantle of Tobago, you carry the pride of Tobago, and I urge you to ensure that you will continue to carry it on to the next level."

-Kwame Laurence

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com