Team TTO | Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee | teamtto.org

Jul.19.2010

Trinidad and Tobago’s top squash player will face Eric Gonsalves of Mexico after disposing of Jamaican James Bullock. Ramasra received a bye in the opening round while Bullock defeated Alexander Arjoon of Guyana convincingly 11-7, 11-8, 1–4 to book the round of 16 clash.

Ramasra who is ranked 214 in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Rankings showed his vast experience with a comfortable win. He took the opening game 11-8 before Bullock responded to level the encounter, winning 9-11. Ramasra the showed his superior skill and used his speed to great effect. He edged Bullock in the third game 12-10 before finishing the encounter in the fourth 11-5.

Ramasra decided to compete at the CAC Games despite the recent passing of his mother due to the inexperience in the team.

“When my mother passed I lost the motivation to play squash and I stopped playing in a few tournaments. This was a tournament I was preparing for since the start of the year and when my mother passed I stop my training to attend to some family matters. The teams needs my experience, I played here on the professional circuit a few times and I think being here will help our chances of getting a medal in the team competition” said Ramasra.

He added “ I would have like to be more prepared and if my mother did not pass away I would have. However, it did happen and I just need to make a greater effort for the national team and I really still think we can medal at this tournament.”

Nakita Poon Kong was  knocked out in the opening round by Karen Meakins of Barbados in the Women Singles. Poon Kong had no response for Meakins who played a great deal of her career in the United Kingdom.

Jul.18.2010

A WATERSPOUT slammed into the Jose Figueroa Olympic Stadium in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico where thousands of people were expected to gather for the inauguration of the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) today.

And at least five people are said to be injured from the passage of the freak storm which is believed to have demolished part of  the stadium. The incident forced the  cancellation of  the highly anticipated opening ceremony.

The storm ripped down scaffolding workers were using to add final touches to the Jose Figueroa Olympic Stadium, toppling the metal onto cars below.

Chef de Mission of the Trinidad and Tobago contingent Mushtaque Mohammed said a spectacular “light show” was expected for the opening before the storm blew down the lighting props that were erected on stage. 

Felipe Perez, president of the games organising committee, said he was taken aback by the storm’s strength. “The wind was like something out of a movie,” he said.

Jul.16.2010

Four Gymnastics Experts in T&T for one week International Coaching Course.

Four top coaches of the Federation of International Gymnastics [FIG] are due in Trinidad, shortly, to conduct Level 1 Men's and Women's Artistic Gymnastics courses from July 18-25 at the Woodbrook Youth Facility.

Thirty-five coaches, including two from Barbados, are due to participate in the eight-day courses which are being hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Amateur Gymnastics Association [TTAGA]. Successful participants will receive a FIG's Academy Certification which will qualify them to coach gymnasts worldwide.

The coaches, who are drawn from Canada, the United Kingdom and Russia comprise Chris Evans, a coaching educator for over 20 years; Kelly Manjak, personal coach of 2004 Olympic Gold medallist, Kyle Shewfelt; Paul Hall, United Kingdom's 2001-2004 Junior National Coach and Dr. Elena Davydova, Olympic All Around Champion 1980 and 2007 Inductee into the International Hall of Fame.

Jul.15.2010

England have named an initial 17-man training squad preparing to take part in the Rugby Sevens at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

The experienced group includes 13 players who appeared in the IRB Sevens World Series last season including world record points scorer Ben Gollings, the sole survivor from Melbourne 2006 when England were silver medallists.

There are two uncapped players in Miles Mantella, the 18-year-old Harlequins back who led Millfield to National Schools Sevens titles in 2009 and 2010, and Alex Cheesman, 21, who won Blues for Oxford in 2008 and 2009.

Seven of the group – Gollings, Greg Barden, Kevin Barrett, Chris Cracknell, Isoa Damudamu, Dan Norton and James Rodwell – were in the teams that beat New Zealand to win the Wellington and London Sevens in 2009.

The intensive 12-week training programme – based at the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey and the Lensbury Club in Teddington – includes England’s first ever appearance at the Middlesex Sevens playing as a Help For Heroes side on August 14.

Head coach Ben Ryan will work with additional players before the final team is nominated in September and England then go to New Delhi for the event on October 11 and 12. They face Australia, Namibia and Sri Lanka in the pool stages.

“I’m very pleased with this initial training squad and we’ll also look at more players during the build-up before we nominate our team,” said Ryan.

“We’ve got experience, we’ve got youth and we have the expertise of taking part in big competitions. It gives us the backbone you need to bring through some exciting young players.

Sevens players are specialised athletes – Ryan

 

“This is the longest time we’ve ever had together and with that comes greater understanding and the ability to train to play in different ways against different teams and within individual games.

“It will also have a great impact on our conditioning. Sevens players are specialised athletes and our aim is to be fitter, faster and in better shape than we’ve ever been.

“We’ve made great strides in applying new technology to what we’re doing and we work in partnership with bodies like UK Sport to make sure we are pushing back the boundaries in terms of our physical, technical and tactical preparation.

"Learning from others and creating synergy with other sports is very important to us and we’re looking forward to being an integral part of the England team at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, then in Glasgow in 2014 and as part of the build-up to Rugby Sevens inclusion in the Olympics in 2016.

Ryan hopes to deliver winning team

“The objective for these players now is to get selected and then to deliver for a winning England team at the Commonwealth Games.

"There will big guns in New Delhi like New Zealand, who have won three gold medals since Rugby Sevens was introduced to the Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, which means we’re certainly not going to be the favourites.

"But we believe and trust in the players selected and that our preparation will be right going to Delhi so that we’ll be in the best possible shape when we’re on the start line."

 

Source: www.rfu.com

Jul.15.2010

Trinidad and Tobago will participate in the historic Central American and Caribbean ( CAC) games Rugby 7s scheduled for the National stadium Georgetown,Guyana 24-25 July.The CAC games will begin on July 17 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and conclude on August 1.
Confirmation came from the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) following a beep test done by members of the rugby squad on Tuesday night .

The Trinidad and Tobago team is:

Graeme Alkins(Caribs RFC),Kurt Quashie(Caribs RFC),Keishon Walker(Tobago RFC),Wayne Kelly(capt-Harvard/UTT),Felician Guerra(Royalians/UTT),Andrew Crooks(Trinidad Northern),Jonathon O'Connor(Trinidad Northern),Kendal Mootoo( Caribs RFC),Abdeel Gilkes(Caribs RFC),Joseph Quashie(Harvard/UTT),Kelson Figaro(Royalians/UTT) and Ronald Silverthorne(Caribs RFC).
Team Manager-Curtis Nero
Technical Director- Murray Roulston
Coach- John Williams

TTOC president Michael Romany : "I am pleased to confirm that rugby has completed the TTOC selection and fitness process.The determination of the players and the TTRFU to embrace the reality that high fitness levels and a well structured preparation programme are vital if rugby is to fulfill its medal winning and qualification potential in respect of multi-sport games under the TTOC augurs well for the future.Our [TTOC] expectation is that rugby will medal at the CAC."

Jul.12.2010

NATIONAL champion Gavyn Nero collected TT’s second medal at the NACAC Under-23 Track and Field Championships which came to an end yesterday at the Ansin Sports Complex, Miramar, Florida.

Nero, a multiple CARIFTA gold medallist, finished third in the Men’s 800m final to give TT their second bronze medal after Caleigh Bacchus placed third as well in the Women’s High Jump on Saturday.

Nero, who ran 1:51.09 at the National Championships last month, stopped the clock at one minute 48.16 seconds behind American Charles Jock and Aaron Evans of the Bermuda. Jock won the gold in a fast 1:45.65 while Evans had to settle for the silver with a time of 1:47.79. TT’s Jamaal James finished in sixth position, crossing the finish line in 1:49.79.

Janeil Bellille  missed out on a medal in the Women’s 400m hurdles, crossing the finish line in fourth place. Bellille stopped the clock at 56.95 seconds while Americans Ti’erra Brown and Tameka Jameson finished one-two in 55.14 and 55.97 respectively. Jamaica’s Nikita Tracey took the bronze in a time of 56.89. 

TT’s Emmanuel Mayers was out of medal contention, placing  fifth in 51.77. Jeshua Anderson of the USA won the gold in 49.33 while Winder Cuevas finished the runner-up in 50.13. Taking the bronze was American Reginald Wyatt with a time of 50.15.

TT’s first medal of the Championships went to Caleigh Bacchus who claimed the bronze medal in the Women’s High Jump. Bacchus cleared 1.76m on her first attempt . Her 1.76m effort was enough to take third place. American Amber Kaufman ,  1.86m  took  the top honours. Taking the silver was her compatriot April Sinkler( 1.81m). 

Kyron Blaise did not place in the Men’s Triple Jump final, fouling on his first attempt before passing on his remaining leaps.

Jul.11.2010

Rugby's  participation at this year's Central American and  Caribbean( CAC) Games  is still to be confirmed by the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee( TTOC).
According to Chef de Mission for the CAC Games Mushtaque Mohammed  Rugby  must complete a final beep test as not all the players have met the TTOC fitness standard.
All the other team sports and athletes nominated by their respective national sport organisations have completed the TTOC's selection process.
The TTOC held its final Beep  test on the week end. But the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football (TTRFU) requested an exemption as the national team was due to participate at the Harvard 7s rugby tournament .
Mohammed confirmed that  the TTRFU have been given a further extension and will have until Wednesday 14 July to complete the selection process.
" I am confident that rugby will be okay. They only have three athletes out of their nominated list who are short of the requirement.The process started since October last year so everyone has been given ample opportunity  and notice." said Mohammed. The CAC Games rugby 7s will be held in Guyana  24-25 July  and the T&T team is scheduled to depart home on the 21st July.
Mohammed ,however,leaves on Wednesday (14 July) for Puerto Rico is confident  that the historic T&T contingent is well poised to have a successful medal campaign.Trinidad and Tobago is sending  its largest ever contingent  to a CAC Games.
With CONCACAF withdrawing football from the Games. The T&T men and  women football teams will not be part of the team.
Mohammed although disappointed said that it was within the remit of CONCACAF to take whatever decisions it felt was in the best interest of football.
" I am sorry for the football  teams as I  was confident that they were both capable of making it to the podium. Puerto Rico is facing some challenges in respect of  hosting the Games. In that context they were not able to satisfy  CONCACAF that the desired facilities and logistics were available."
The TTOC has contracted two charter flights  to airlift the over three hundred strong contingent to Puerto Rico.

Jul.09.2010

An England team will compete in the Middlesex Sevens for the first time next month. The two day tournament kicks-off at Twickenham Stadium on August 14.

Head coach Ben Ryan’s squad are building towards the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October after finishing as silver medallists in Melbourne four years ago.
Ryan will be able to deploy stars from the IRB World Sevens Series like global record points scorer Ben Gollings and matchwinning all-rounder Isoa Damudamu.

England will compete as the Help For Heroes team wearing the black and white shirts of the charity that supports servicemen and women wounded in Britain’s current conflicts.

Wales and Scotland also take part in the tournament – representing pancreatic cancer charity Amser Justin Time and the Thistle Rugby Trust – alongside Aviva Premiership clubs, including defending champions London Irish, the British
Army and ULR Samurai invitation sides.

“The Middlesex Sevens provides a great opportunity for us to get high quality game time in the run up to the Commonwealth Games and we’re delighted to be taking part,” said Ryan.

“It’s a historic and high quality event that’s full of top-end players and it’ll be a good gauge of where we are and what finishing touches we need to put to our preparations.

“We’ll be keeping a few things up our sleeves for Delhi but it’ll be a great testing ground for us as well as for Wales and Scotland.

“To do it under the Help For Heroes banner adds a great deal to the experience and we’re delighted to be able to support them.”

Ryan is due to name his training squad for the tournament later this month.

England will face Australia at the Commonwealth Games in the pool stages of the Rugby Sevens tournament which takes place on October 11 and 12.

The 2006 silver medallists have been placed in Pool D with the Wallabies, Namibia and Sri Lanka.

England were beaten 29-21 in the Melbourne final four years ago when New Zealand claimed their third gold medal following their wins at Manchester (2002) and Kuala Lumpur (1998).

Commonwealth Games Rugby Sevens Pools

Pool A Pool B Pool C
New Zealand Wales England
Scotland South Africa Australia
Canada Tonga Nambia
Guyana India Sri Lanka

Jul.08.2010

High profile teenage track and field athletes Jehue Gordon and Quincy Wilson stole the show on the fourth day of the Olympic Youth Camp(OYC) .  Campers were  pleasantly surprised  when the two popular junior gold medalists and national champions  visited the OYC  north  location at the Hasely Crawford stadium and  shared their experiences and words of inspiration. 
Gordon  who shocked the track and field world at last year's IAAF senior world track and field championships when he placed fourth in the 400m high hurdles urged campers to work hard and sacrifice the parties and mall limes. He also shared  his objectives and  some of the difficult choices he has had to make.
Wilson, a former Olympic youth camper and facilitator, spoke of goals that he set for himself, and his record breaking achievements. He also shared the positive benefits and lessons he had gained as an  Olympic Youth Camp participant. To the delight of the campers both athletes agreed to the numerous requests for autographs and pictures.
The theme for the day was Non-discrimination. Once again the campers began the day with core training led by Larry Mendez from the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football .One of the new exercises campers had to do today was the “scorpion”. This proved to be very challenging as campers had to remain in a push-up position , while bringing their feet as close to their hands as possible. The next session commenced with brief thoughts on the theme of the day Non-discrimination. This was well led by facilitators who gave examples of discrimination and non discrimination so as to clearly distinguish between the two.
A very inspiring and informative session on “sport and different abilities” was then led by Desiree Wilson. This included a video on athletes who have different physical abilities.  This was clearly explained by para athlete Shannon Ottley who spoke of her successes as an athlete and the challenges she faced as as a differently able teenager. Her fellow campers listened attentively while she spoke. The next session on Youth Sport and the Community which was led by Sandy Siewdass. A 2003 Olympic Youth Camp graduate,Siewdass spoke about the ground-breaking Shape the Community programme started by the  T&T Olympic Committee in Point Fortin. She informed campers that the Olympic Committee is aiming to provide sport in more communities. In addition she spoke of the golf programme to be started in Trincity for children aged seven to twelve. Motivational flyers entitled “don’t ever give up” were distributed to campers.
The  art and crafts session - Creative Concepts was led by Mrs Jackie  "Auntie Jackie" Western. The campers learnt to make a picture frame using pallet sticks. When completed the picture frame was  painted and drawings inserted. Drawings included pictures of boxers’ gloves, hockey, and other sports. The essence of creativity and innovation was exhibited by the campers. This was a very rewarding and enriching exercise for all.  Aunty Jackie was very enthusiastic and patient with the campers. Throughout the session she kept motivating  the campers especially those who did not feel they creative talent. She insisted “can’t is not a word, do not say it!”.
Mrs Western's popular session was followed by the mental fitness and sport psychology session- Think It, Believe It -conducted by  TTOC vice-president Dr. Ian Hypolite. One of the country's leading psychiatrists and Medical Chief of Staff,St Ann's Hospital . Dr Hypolite gave an insight on intrinsic and extrinsic motivation factors as key elements in goal achievement. Campers were asked to identify their peak performance.Dr. Hypolite stressed that identifying peak performance is a clear indicator in terms of understanding what makes you tick.
The day ended with Desiree Wilson sharing information on the Commonwealth Games and  the Commonwealth Games Art Competition that has just been launched by the TTOC. Campers were encouraged  to submit entries  for the competition. TTOC Youth  Olympic Games(YOG),Singapore 2010 ,Young Ambassador,Kwanieze John was in attendance. Ms John who returned to T&T the day before from Olympia ,Greece where she attended the Young Participant Session will play an active part during the remainder of the camp. Her responsibilities include raising awareness about the inaugural Youth  Olympic Games.

Jul.08.2010

Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee(TTOC) president Michael Romany is disappointed that with the Central American and Caribbean( CAC) Games opening ceremony just over a week away there are selection issues surrounding the fitness standard.

Romany said it is irresponsible for NSOs to be seeking to create contention and controversy at this time when the fact of the matter is that the TTOC started the selection and fitness testing process since last October.

" A week to go and some sports are still asking the TTOC to further reduce the fitness standard . When we have already reduced the required levels and still there are efforts to challenge the decision of the TTOC executive and General Council. Since October last year we have been working with NSOs to ensure that their teams and athletes are well prepared. I am confident that the TTOC's position will have the support of the Ministry of Sport as they also have concerns about the under preparation of national teams and athletes."

"It is not the only criteria. But when you have athletes in the timed sports such as cycling,track and field and swimming working hard to meet their required standards.The TTOC will not allow others who do not have a time qualification standard to fall below or hold the process to ransom."

The TTOC head is however confident that the situation will not become a disciplinary issue.

A final beep test is scheduled for Saturday at the Eastern Regional Complex.

Jul.07.2010

Campers at the Hasely Crawford Stadium were a happy bunch on day three. Olympic Youth Camp(OYC) facilitators and coordinators also expressed their delight at the response to the activities. The day started off as did the previous day with the popular core training session, led by Larry Mendez, from the TTRFU. Immediately following, Mr. Larry Romany, President of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee gave an inspirational talk on the factors that influence one’s health and quality of life.

His talk focused on having the right attitude as the starting point in leading a healthy lifestyle. The campers responded very well and reported that the talk left them feeling empowered and motivated to keep a positive attitude in their day to day lives.

The next presenter was Mr. Kerwin Purcell of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service who led a very interactive and fun discussion on conflict resolution and anger management. After the morning presenters, the campers were put into groups with each given a topic on which they will present at the closing ceremony , scheduled for next Wednesday, July 14th.

The topics are focused around the theme of Olympism and related issues, and are intended to encourage the campers to become aware of both past and emerging issues in the Olympic movement. Just before lunch the facilitators had a chance to test their leadership skill by conducting an ice breaker exercise, "Untying the Knot". The facilitators really stepped up to the challenge as each facilitator led an activity . The ice breaker activities are just one aspect of the leadership development training that facilitators are offered.

The afternoon session was jam packed with physical activities, starting off with the duo from the Ballroom Dance Association, Dexter and Carol, who a ballroom bancing session. The session not only got the campers up and moving, but also encouraged positive social skill development by focusing on appropriate and respectful etiquette between males and females .The day ended with a Spin session at Spinners World. Most of the campers had never experienced this activity before and were begging for more by the end. Upon return to the OYC location, campers were given their journal reflection assignment before heading home for the day, leaving with feelings of excitement ahead of day four.

Jul.06.2010

The 2010 Olympic Youth Camp had another successful day. The morning  started off with core training session led by Larry Mendez, from the Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football  . The campers enjoyed a series of interactive educational sessions conducted by Mr. Dexter Skeene,CEO of  the T & T Pro League who gave a talk on the positive role that  sport can play in one’s life.

Mr. Travis Romany  followed Mr. Skeene and delivered a well received  presentation on goal setting and the  importance of developing a realistic action plan .

There was also a surprise visit from Mr. Ken Butcher,Head of the University of  Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Academy for Sport and  Leisure. Mr Butcher spoke on the scholarship opportunties that UTT can offer young sportsmen and women.
Former national footballer Richard Chinapoo had a brief chat with the campers.Mr Chinapoo and members of the Harrisburg ,USA youth football team were visiting the facilities at the Hasely Crawford stadium and were invited to introduce themselves to the OYC.
The Olympic theme for the day was respect, which helped to set the tone for the day's activites. The term respect was highlighted in a number of aspects pertaining to not only sport, but in personal conduct and deportment, and relationships.The final session before the lunch break was an etiquette class conducted by  Ms. Kelly Ann Wilson . Her talk touched on personal hygiene, dinner etiquette, dressing appropriately for the occasion and a general discussion on how deportment and body language can send a positive message to other people. In the afternoon session, the physical literacy component of the program gave the campers a chance to participate in a baton relay race around the entire Hasely Crawford stadium. The day ended with a  discussion on respect as it relates to discrimination. In total, the camp has 56 participants, 12 of which are returning campers from previous years who have been selected to be youth facilitators . Although the focus of the program is on the new campers, facilitators are also an important part of the OYC.
The opportunity for alumni campers to return as facilitators provides the opportunity for additional leadership training as well as the chance to give back to the program by assisting the OYC coordinators with different camp activities. Day two ended with campers expressing eager and excited anticipation for day three.

Jul.06.2010

The  8th Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC)Youth Camp got underway yesterday in Port.of. Spain and Point Fortin.
TTOC president Michael Larry Romany visited both locations and welcomed  participants. Over three hundred boys and girls between the ages of 3 and 16 years were in attendance.
The Port.of. Spain venue at the Hasely Crawford Stadium is limited to forty participants but over fifty turned up.In Point Fortin  there were over three hundred youngsters in attendance.
Romany explained that the North venue is limited to one male and one female from the sporting bodies affiliated to the TTOC. While the Point Fortin location provides for  a younger age group (3-12 years) and participants in the TTOC's landmark Shape the Community Sport Programme.
"Fantastic response.Great start. It was a wonderful sight to see so many enthusiastic and happy youngsters all  enjoying the activities.I am confident the objectives of the camp will be achieved. We want them to have an Olympic experience,learn about the Olympic ideals and values and hopefully we will  inspire the next generation of Olympians."said Romany

Jul.04.2010

Source: www.stabroeknews.com

As Guyana prepares to host one of the events of the Central American and Caribbean Games for the first time, the local organizing committee headed by Guyana Rugby Football (GRFU) President Kit Nascimento is working feverishly towards completing preparations for the CAC rugby  games on July 24-25 at the National Stadium.The CAC games will begin on July 17 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and conclude on August 1.

With the games soon approaching, Guyana is well ahead in preparing the national team and facilities for the hosting of the rugby games.

As part of preparations the marking of the rugby field  and erecting of the goal posts at the National Stadium are currently in their final stages.

The posts which were donated, constructed and erected by BK international will add the final touches to the rugby field and they will be first sampled tomorrow and Sunday when the GRFU holds trials to select the final squad for the CAC games.

At a recent press conference in Georgetown Nascimento gave some insight into the preparations and noted the past achievements of the national teams while pointing to what is expected of them.

“The secret is preparation, training and fitness… We would like to think that Guyana at this point and time is by far the best prepared, the best trained and fittest team in the Caribbean and Central America.”

He emphasized that although Guyana has only three rugby clubs and less than a thousand registered players, the local team can “take on” major teams at the world stage, like they did in Las Vegas earlier this year in the International Rugby Board (IRB) Worlds Sevens Series where they managed to draw a game against France.

“France is one of the founder members of European rugby and world rugby who are rated among the top five or six rugby sevens teams in the world… and we were beating France in that game up until the last 30 seconds,” Nascimento noted.

“It is a game where less known and less well prepared and financed teams can often take on the greatest teams in the world and compete with them,” he explained.While indicating that the GRFU is expecting the national squad to win the CAC rugby games,Nascimento urged the Guyanese public to come out and support their team.“We want to see that stadium filling up with spectators. We want soccer players, we want cricket players, we want swimmers, we want every single sporting fraternity in this country to come out and support us at that stadium to cheer our championship team on, to show that against the best in the Caribbean and Central America we can be better than the best,” Nascimento declared.

The upcoming CAC games will register  a number of firsts.  It is the first time that rugby will be played in an Olympic-type event.

Jul.03.2010

All systems are ready says Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) president Michael Larry Romany following his meeting yesterday at Olympic House with TTOC Olympic Youth Camp co-ordinators.
The 8th TTOC Olympic Youth Camp will open on Monday at  Clifton Hill Club Point Fortin and in Port.of. Spain at the Hasely Crawford Stadium- Athlete Lounge.Start time is 8am.
First established in 2003, in Port.of. Spain. The TTOC has expanded camp venues to Point Fortin with another sport specific one to be held in Trincity during August.
Romany confirmed that the Port.of. Spain and Point Fortin venues will retain the original non sport specific  concept. While the Trincity camp will be sport specific.
"  We have expanded from one venue[Port.of. Spain] to Point Fortin  and Trincity. We have made some changes to the programme. The response has been fantastic. I am happy with the interest shown by members of the public and the sporting bodies.The  Camp remains rooted in the culture,vision and mission of the ancient Greek gymnasium."
The motto of the Camp is Educate,Empower,Evolve and activities will reflect the core Olympic Values of Excellence,Freindship,Respect.Participants will be provided a variety of educational,sporting and cultural experiences. Campers are introduced to topics as varied as ballroom dancing, art, singing, public speaking, etiquette, sports nutrition, basic exercise physiology, AIDS awareness, goal setting and formulating a development plan, creative writing and Olympic history. Leading sports and entertainment personalities are also scheduled to speak with the youngsters. .
The Trincity camp scheduled for four Saturdays in August will be held at the Millinneum Golf Center   and will be free to children between the ages of 7-12 years.
The Olympic Youth Camp is hosted by the TTOC Olympic Academy, Education and Culture Committee (OAEC) also known as the TT Olympic Academy.

NOTE:The ancient Greek gymnasium  arose through recognition by the Greeks of the strong relation between athletics, education and health. Accordingly, the gymnasium became connected with  physical training and maintenance of health and strength . Except for time devoted to letters and music, the education of young  pupils was solely conducted in the gymnasium, where provisions were made not only for physical pedagogy but for instruction in morals and ethics. As pupils grew older, informal conversation and other forms of social activity took the place of institutional, systematic discipline.Philosophers frequently assembled to hold talks and lectures in the gymnasium; thus the institution became a resort for those interested in less structured intellectual pursuits in addition to those using the place for training in physical exercises.

Jul.03.2010

New Zealand have been named top seeds for sevens rugby at October's Commonwealth Games and should enjoy a comfortable start to the defence of their gold medal.

Heading Pool A, New Zealand have been drawn with world series regulars Scotland and Canada as well as Caribbean champions Guyana for the event which will be held in New Delhi from October 11 to 12.

Guyana made their world series debut this year, appearing in the Las Vegas round.

South Africa, bronze medallists in 2002, head pool B and face three challenging opening ties against reigning World Cup holders Wales, Tonga and India.

Current world series champions Samoa top pool C and face matches on day one against ever-dangerous Kenya, Uganda and Papua New Guinea.

England, the 2006 silver medallists, have Australia, third in this year's world series, Namibia and Sri Lanka in pool D.

New Zealand have won all three rugby sevens gold medals - in 1998 (Kuala Lumpur), 2002 (Manchester) and 2006 (Melbourne) - since the code was added to the games programme.

"I guess it all points to Samoa also starting as favourites when we all travel to Delhi for the Commonwealth Games...," New Zealand coach Gordon Tietjens said on the International Rugby Board's website.

"They're the form team, it will just be interesting to see whether those same players can tread back into sevens and regain that sharpness.

That's a challenge for all the coaches."

Tietjens, whose trial squad includes All Blacks Adam Thomson, Zac Guildford and Brendon Leonard as well as New Zealand Maori wing Hosea Gear, is expected to name his 14-man squad for the games this month.

Aug.01.2010

Source; www.newsday.co.tt

TRINIDAD and Tobago men’s hockey team secured a silver medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico yesterday.

This came after they were beaten 3-2 in the final by Mexico. The TT men were fancying their chances for the gold after a convincing 5-0 thrashing to the Netherlands Antilles in the semi-finals on Friday.

However they met a fighting Mexican team that prevailed in spite of their attempts to secure the gold.

In boxing, TT’s Andrew Fermin also secured a silver medal when he was beaten in the final by Jeysson Monroy of Colombia 7-2 on Friday night. The result means that Fermin, who just missed out on qualification for the 2008 Olympic Games, is the only TT boxer to have earned a silver medal.

Meanwhile in water polo, the TT men’s team finished a disappointing fifth when they defeated the Netherlands Antilles 11-9 in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico yesterday.

In a fifth place play-off the TT men led after the first session 4-0 before the Dutchmen stormed back to claim the second session 2-1 to trail 2-5 at the end of the half-time interval.

In the third quarter the Netherlands Antilles tried for a comeback by winning the session 5-3 to close the gap on the TT 7-8. However the TT men held on firm to win the last quarter 3-2 for an overall 11-9 victory.

To date TT have won 32 medals from the CAC championship, comprising ten golds, and silvers and 13 bronze and are in eighth position overall. The medal tally is being led by Mexico who have so far won a massive total of 378 medals with Venezuela in second on 319 and Colombia in third on 251 medals.

Jul.30.2010

Nigel Simon: www.guardian.co.tt
T&T’s 4x100 metres men’s relay quartet of Rondel Sorillo, Marc Burns, Emmanuel Callender and Keston Bledman won this country’s seventh gold medal at the 21st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, last night. Running out of lane four at the Mayaguez Stadium, the T&T quartet raced home in 38.24 seconds, a new Games record to eclipse the previous best of 38.74 set in 1986 by Cuba in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Jamaica was second in 38.78 and Netherlands Antilles, bronze in 38.82.

In the morning semifinal heats, the T&T relay squad of Sorillo, Burns, Marcus Duncan and Bledman was second in heat one, in 39.36 to trail Jamaica (38.96). T&T also picked up a silver medal via discus thrower, Annie Alexander while taekwondo’s Amelia Corbie, got a bronze to increased the record medal haul to 27 (seven gold, eight silver, 12 bronze) yesterday. Alexander, who on Tuesday got a bronze in the shot put final threw the discus 51.03 metres, just short of Venezuelan gold medal winner, Maria Cubillan (52.21m). Mexico’s Paulina Flores got bronze (49.57).

Alexander’s medal was earned on her fourth of six attempts while Cubillan’s won on her penultimate effort. In the women’s 800-metre final, T&T’s 29-year-old Melissa DeLeon was fourth in two minutes, 04.98 just behind bronze medallist, Marian Burnett of Guyana who crossed the line in 2:04.45. Colombian, Rosibel Garcia won in 2:03.77 minutes and Panamanian, Andrea Ferris, got silver in 2:04.16. Gavyn Nero was seventh in the men’s 800-metre final in one minute, 49.11 seconds while Kyron Blaise (16.01m) and Christopher Hercules (15.61m) were sixth and eight respectively in the men’s triple jump final.

The women’s 4x100 metres relay quartet of Sasha Springer Jones, Ayanna Hutchinson, Reyare Thomas and Aleesha Barber finished a disappointing sixth in their final in 45.01 seconds. Corbie battled her way to a bronze medal in the women’s Over 73kg category when she lost by withdrawal to Mexico. Guadalupe Ruiz in the semifinal round. This after she got the better of Venezuela’s Genesis Cordero 7-4 in the quarterfinals while fellow T&T athlete Che Sankar was beaten by Puerto Rico’s Josean Rivera 6-2 in a men’s Under-63 kg round-of-16 clash.

Jul.26.2010

Twenty-three year-old Aleesha Barber, running out of lane five, won T&T’s fifth gold medal in the 100m hurdles in 13.09 seconds at the 21st Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico last night in Puerto Rico. Earlier, sharp shooter Robert John Auerbach gave T&T gold medal number four. Auerbach took the top podium spot in the Men’s Skeet with a score of 114, ahead of Carlos Valdez of Mexico and Diego Duarte of Colombia, at the Alb Olímpico, Salinas. The twin island’s medal tally now stands at 14, with five gold, five silver and four bronze.

Barber was ahead of Colombian, Ellecit Palacios and Jamaican, Andrea Bliss. In her semifinal round, Barber also won in 13.10 seconds. Ayanna Hutchinson had to settle for a silver medal in the women’s 100-metre sprint final in 11.47 seconds to trail British Virgin Islands’ Tahesia Harrigan who coasted to her victory in 11.19 with Colombia’s Yomara Hinestroza, third in 11.51. Hutchinson had qualified as the fastest for the final after she won heat two of three in 11.42. Keston Bledman was seventh in the men’s 100m final in 10.32 while team-mate Emmanuel Callender was disqualified for a false start. Churandy Martina of Netherland Antilles won gold in 10.07 while Daniel Bailey of Antigua got silver in 10.08 and Jamaican, Lerone Clarke, bronze in 10.15.

In the semifinal round, Bledman topped his rivals in 10.21 and Calendar was second in the fourth and final heat in 10.16 to trail Bailey (10.07) and qualify as one of the top of the four fastest losers. Today, World Track and Field Championship, bronze medal winner, Renny Quow will go after gold in the 400m final after he qualified as the sixth fastest with a second place finish in the second of three semifinal heats in 46.09 seconds. Fellow T&T runner, Zwede Hewitt was third in the first 400m semifinal in 46.30 for tenth overall, missing out on a spot in the final as one of the two fastest losers. Cyclists, Njisane Phillip did not add to his gold and silver medal tally when he ended in sixth spot in the men’s keirin final while team-mate Haseem Mc Lean was fourth in the B final.