Youngsters ‘compete’ and meet with hero

The Siparia Chamber of Commerce in association with the Siparia Regional Corporation and blink/bmobile and a number of other organisations, hosted the inaugural Njisane Phillip junior cycle meet to nurture the sport among young athletes—and who knows, perhaps produce another Njisane. Executive vice president marketing, Trevor Deane explained that blink/bmobile was pleased to support Phillip. “Sport is a channel that facilitates holistic development of the youth in our society; Njisane and the entire Olympic team have collectively demonstrated at the recently concluded London Olympics, that our country is filled with immense talent.” The event was held on Siparia’s High Street—a “stone’s throw” from where Phillip resides with his family, and featured 29 races for 54 junior cyclists between the ages of 5 to 17 from clubs across the country. 

 

 

At the end, after a great time was had by all, the overall winner was De-Angelo Harris, with the team award going to Rigtech Sonics. Phillip was out and about, very much part of the event, posing for pictures and greeting residents and fans who came out in the hundreds to support their favourite athlete and neighbour. “It’s a great feeling to have the community come out and show support for the youths,” he said. “We definitely have a lot of talent in T&T, so it’s all about moulding them from a young age and guiding them the right way,” the cycle sprint star said. Phillip himself has been competing since he was ten years old. Chairman of the Siparia regional corporation, Leo Doodnath said Phillip has the full support of the corporation and community. “He is a son of the soil who has made us proud and we owe it to him, that’s why we are doing it,” Doodnath said.

He said plans are on the way to make the meet an annual event.