TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE LAUNCHES Equal Halves IN TOBAGO Tuesday January 21st, Gulf City Mall, Lowlands Tobago, hosted the launch of the Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee’s “Equal Halves - Make Us One” Exhibition and Awareness Programme at 10am. Among the captivated audience, were students from The Technical Vocational School for Persons with Disabilities, the Happy Haven School and the School for the Hearing Impaired, among the Tobago House of Assembly dignitaries, included Assemblyman Mr. Sheldon Cunningham- Assistant Secretary in the Division of Health and Social Services, Mr. Theophilus Trim – Director of Sport and Mr. Gerard Franklyn -Sport Coordinator, Division of Education. National Shot Put Record Holder and Para athlete, Akeem Stewart was also a guest of honour. The opening address from the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee, Mr. Kenneth McKell, introduced the crowd to the mandate of the TTPC as well as the expanding scope of possibilities for our current and future Paralympians, the Recreational and Rehabilitative Programmes. Outlining the successes of the 2012 Paralympic Games in London, four time swimming gold medallist, Shanntol Ince, at the Youth Parapan Games in Argentina October last year and the introduction of Akeem Stewart to the Paralympic Stage in Medellin, Colombia in November of the same year, Mr. McKell also highlighted the myriad of upcoming Competition Events in which T&T Athletes can participate in 2014 and onwards, leading to Rio De Janeiro 2016 Paralympic Games. Following Mr. McKell’s informative and exciting speech, Mr. Theophilus Trim, in his conversation with the crowd, pledged his support for the TTPC in Tobago. He left no question mark over his pleasure at where the TTPC and the Paralympic Movement was heading and at the pace at which it continues to grow and expand. After the speeches, the audience were invited to view the Exhibition in the smaller Atrium area of the Mall, where Assemblyman Mr. Sheldon Cunningham- Assistant Secretary in the Division of Health and Social Services led the group carrying the Paralympic Torch and invited to cut the ribbon to formally open Exhibition. The Exhibition ran for three days and was visited by both members of the public and schools. Over a dozen schools brought in curious students, while visitors to the Mall left the display marvelling at the ability of Para Athletes in all sporting activities including Swimming, Athletics, Rugby, Basketball, Tennis and the sport that captivated most visitors, Blind Football. A visit to the Exhibition from Assemblyman Mr. Jomo Pitt Assistant Secretary, Division of Education, Youth and Sport, saw him totally enamored by the dexterity and talent of blind footballers, himself putting on a blind fold and following a sound ball, in much the same way as the players. At the end of the week, two Special Schools visited by the volunteers of the TTPC, involving the students in various sporting activities. Undoubtedly, the impact the TTPC made on the lives of Students, Teachers, Coaches and the General Public, will greatly enhance the road ahead for future of the Paralympic Movement, Para Sports and the development of Para Athletes for competition. It is with a sense of great pride that the journey ahead for the TTPC, the Paralympic Movement and our current and future Para Athletes continues to be filled with the support of a nation embracing the ability of our youth in all their forums.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Jan 2014 21:15:21 +0000