The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) in association with Seven Seas multi-vitamin , the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT) and the Trinidad and Tobago Golf Association successfully concluded it's inaugural Starting New At Golf (SNAG) Summer Olympic Youth Camp program on Saturday 28th August at the Millennium Lakes Golf and Country Club in Trincity. The camp, coordinated by Troy Romany, was attended by children ages 3 to 14 .The main objective of the camp- building a foundation in golf along with raising awareness of children’s diabetes in a fun and entertaining environment was achieved.
Several well-respected Trinidad and Tobago golf players lead by PGA Director Kevin Boyko and Chris Richards carefully walked the youth through basic skills training in areas such as full shots, pitching, chipping, and putting. The parents were educated on the importance of proper nutrition for the young ones through an interactive session led by nutritionist, Ms. Shivani Ram. DATT also used the occasion to conduct free blood sugar level testing .
As explained by Judith Olukayode, mother of two boys attending SNAG “Sports clinics such as these held by the TTOC gives children something positive to do during the summer vacation instead of being idle. [A]nd the nutritional lecture was very informative, giving[parents] suggestions to alternative snacks that the children like such as fruits and vegetable sticks instead of corn curls.”
The program was also blessed with the appearances of elite T&T athletes such as Olympic youth gold medalist Christian Homer and track and field stars Emanuel Calendar and Sean Stuart.
Homer had this to say, “The development of Sport is of the utmost importance. Without the youth there will be no future for sport, and what the Olympic Committee is doing here [coaching clinics] is a very good thing teaching the fundamentals of sport and getting the youth involved.”
Boyko, talked about the opportunities sports can give to young athletes emphasizing the synonymous importance of education in an exclusive interview. “Sports keep youths focused on their future and give them integrity. I have four kids abroad right now who are on full scholarships for golf. These kids’ parents may have never been able to afford it, but they now have the opportunity to further their education and secure their future thanks to sports.”
President of the TTOC, Mr. Larry Romany, during his closing remarks announced that the TTOC is considering expanding the Golf camp.