media_artricles :: 2013

Our youth the future of T&T

Most of the good in T&T centres around our youth in sport. Let’s look at some of them.

Jehue Gordon

A young man with tremendous pedigree, not just in his family, but also in his education (Queens Royal College). He has always maintained a strong level of humility while personifying a quiet confidence. The fact, that he was able to appreciate the value of home life and homemade education at the University of the West Indies has also demonstrated his thought processes, and his intelligence. The comfort of having persons around you, who you know and trust, is vitally important in any sporting athlete’s growth. I will always remember the disappointment on his face after the 400 metres finals at the London Olympics. But you also sensed that he was determined to bounce back and could do this. And in August at the World Championships, he did just that, cruising into the final with the words “I am having fun,” which translated means, I am feeling very good with my state of mind. I am going to win this. I remember telling him that he would win and he just smiled. He is our future, but we should not put too much pressure on him, he has a very good management and coaching team, filled of high quality individuals, who seek his best interest. This is critical for all young sporting persons.

Darren Michael Bravo

Without question, this youngster is possibly the best batsman in the region, in terms of technique, skill and shot selection. His natural game seems to be molded on test cricket, but he has demonstrated that he can adapt to both one day cricket and T20. It is the best news ever, that before the end of the year, the West Indies will be playing five Tests, two against India and three against New Zealand, both overseas series, as it will give Bravo a great opportunity to continue his progress. We need to allow young Bravo, time to be his own man and establish his own legacy. There is a strong sense of determination and purpose, added to his educational background (Fatima College), and his dedication to training.

Nijsane Phillip

After a tremendous performance in the London Olympics, with a fourth place finish in the Match Sprint, Phillips is back in search of his dream. His strong endurance and perseverance speaks volume for him in the future and with the proper guidance and support, he can continue to proudly carry our flag. We must just ensure that we continue to support him, with more action than words, when and as soon as he needs assistance. What gives me strength in his powers, is his mental capacity, which at the moment, is particularly strong.

Kershorn Walcot

A gold medal at the London Olympics, followed by a disappointing finish a year later in the World Championships, needs to be measured carefully with serious discussion and some introspection on what went wrong. Corrective action is important, but not at the expense of eroding Walcott’s self-confidence. And while, there were errors in 2013, these are life lessons and once they can be corrected and he can become fit again and spend more time with his coach, then he is young enough to succeed again. He has the right demeanour and appears to have recognised what may have gone awry, let us hope his handlers do likewise and look at them.

Dylan Carter

When you watch the progress of Dylan Carter, it is both revealing and pleasing. A silver medalist at the World Youth Swimming Championships in Dubai, this 6ft young man, is only a boy with a gracious kindred spirit and friendly happy demeanour, which makes him dangerous to all his opponents now and in the future.” There is nothing but determination in what he does and what he wants to achieve. He has to make a decision on his swimming races soon since he wants to swim “them all.” He wants to enjoy himself and not be limited and this is important. He is definitely one for the future, along with many others who travelled to Dubai, such as Joshua Romany, Kristen Julien, Jonathon Ramkissoon and Tyler Martin. There is a common thread in all of these sporting persons, and that is family—and family support, all of them will acknowledge the support of their parents and close family friends and also their respective coaches, who throughout their formative years and now have given them the training and belief, they can succeed.

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