dic.30.2008

RICHARD Thompson and Kelly Ann Baptiste copped the Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards respectively at the annual Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) yesterday evening.

The function was staged at the President’s House at St Ann’s.

The 23-year-old Thompson rose to global prominence this year as he claimed a pair of silver medals at the Beijing Olympics— the men’s 100 metres in 9.89 seconds and the 4x100m relay when the team clocked 38.06 seconds.

While competing for his US college, Louisiana State University at the NCAA Championships, Thompson won gold in both the 100m (9.93 seconds) and 4x100m relay.

The 22-year-old Baptiste advanced to the second round of the women’s 100m at the Olympics, but placed sixth in her heat with a time of 11.42 seconds.

National cricket captain Daren Ganga was adjudged the Sports Personality of the Year while the Junior Sportsman of the Year is 18- year-old long-distance runner and triathlete Gavyn Nero.

Janeil Bellille, a 19-year-old who specialises in both the 400m sprints and hurdles, was voted as the Junior Sportswoman of the Year while long-distance runner Dwight Yearwood, who suffers with a physical disability, was presented with the Alexander B Chapman Award.

Four members of the silver-medal 4x100m squad at Beijing— Thompson, Emmanuel Callender, Marc Burns and Keston Bledman, were given special IOC Olympic pins at the function while Natalie Fonrose, a student of St Augustine Girls’ High School (SAGHS), won a special art competition organised by the TTOC.


President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago ,His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards gave the keynote address.Minster of Sport and Youth Affairs Gary Hunt and TTOC president Larry Romany also addressed the audience that included members of the Diplomatic Corp ,prominent members of the T&T sport fraternity , and other distinguished guests .

Speaking after the gala event,TTOC president Larry Romany expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Professor George Maxwell Richards for his magnanimous gesture in hosting the event .

" It is a dignified way to end our 60th Anniversary celebrations.The awards function has grown in stature and prestige over the years .This fact has placed a tremendous responsibility on the TTOC to ensure that we produce an event that meets the expectations of everyone."

The TTOC chief in his speech thanked the local Olympic movement for their support during his tenure which comes to an end April next year.He however acknowledged that while there were high points he remained concerned about the future of National Sport Organisations as there is a need for strong leaders with vision,integrity and a sense of stewardship.