Hazel Taylor, mother of Trinidad and Tobago's World Championship bronze medallist Kelly-Ann Baptiste, was elated over her daughter's success in the women's 100 metres yesterday in Korea.
Taylor looked at the race in the company of her co-workers at the Magdalena Gran Beach Resort Tobago, the new name for what was previously the Vanguard Hotel at Lowlands.
"I was really, really afraid. I had nerves because I really wanted Kelly-Ann to win a medal. I actually prayed to God. I said dear Father, please help us to do this, at this time of her life and I was very very happy," Taylor said.
The proud mother said her daughter trains really hard and she knows her hard work has paid off.
"Actually I had a pain in my neck, I started jumping up and down when she ran to bronze. I said thank you God, thank you Jesus, you did it for her. I was in the staff cafeteria at work when we all watched her place. We all were very happy," Taylor added.
She said aspiring athletes need to train hard and work at it.
"While there are some good facilities in Tobago, other sporting facilities need to be upgraded in Tobago, to further push Tobago's upcoming stars forward."
Taylor said she wants to thank all the people of Trinidad and Tobago who supported Kelly-Ann, God, her friends and family.
And newly-appointed Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Assistant Secretary for Youth Affairs and Sports, Huey Cadette, said it was a proud moment for Tobago and all other athletes representing the country.
"On behalf of the Division, we want to extend our sincere and heart-felt congratulations to Kelly Ann. And to athletes such as Renny Quow, Semoy Hackett and Josanne Lucas, we continue to wish them all the best," said Cadette.
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com
By Elizabeth Williams Tobago Bureau