In a June 11, 2014 article in the Trinidad Guardian, Simplex Athletic Club head coach Gunness Persad said, “My main purpose was to help (the boys), show them out of poverty, show them that there are other avenues to succeed in life, such as athletics.”
The 2019 T&T Olympic Committee (TTOC) Alexander B Chapman awardee was at that time (2014) commenting on the Police involved shooting death of one of his Simplex Athletic Club athletes, Hakeem Alexander, whose life ended at 16.
The 2013 Carifta Games bronze medallist was one of two teenagers who were shot and killed by police at Superville Hill, Laventille.
At that time, Alexander, a former student at Success Laventille Secondary was one of six young athletes from Laventille who were recruited by Simplex following the advice of a teacher at a primary school in Laventille.
Persad continues his tireless and relentless effort to make a positive impact and difference in the lives of children and young people.
Easter Sunday, he was the driving force behind the Simplex Athletic Club sports meet held at the Gasparillo Park, Gasparillo. Let not the word park fool you, the venue is a modest field in dire need of upgrading but that in no way deterred the enthusiasm of the organisers, spectators and participants. It was quite heartening to see the age range—from the very young to those who may have missed out on making the Carifta track and field team.
While Carifta action was underway in the Bahamas (swimming) and Grenada (track and field), young cyclists were representing Team TTO in the T&T Cycling Federation Easter Grand Prix here at home. It’s good to see the youngster making an effort to step up. They need to be encouraged. These aren’t easy times for young people involved in sports in T&T.
Two aspects of the Easter weekend events that will pay dividends in the near future. One is the involvement of 2013 400m hurdles World champion Jehue Gordon in the administrative and management side of track and field. Jehue’s involvement can only augur well for the development of the young members of the Team TTO Carifta track and field team.
The other significant occurrence is the make-up of the Carifta swimming team coaching staff. Head coach was Mark Pouchet with Anil Roberts and Paul Newallo as assistant coaches. This isn’t the first year this has happened. Roberts is one of the best swimming coaches in the region and has a proven track record at the Olympic level. Newallo is an Olympian swimmer and knowledgeable coach. Their experience and knowledge will certainly provide needed impetus for the young swimmers who aspire to develop into world and Olympic-level swimmers. Here in T&T, it’s not the norm for the best coaches to accept assignments at the youth and junior levels. That coaches of the calibre of Roberts are willing to do so can only benefit, inspire and motivate the young swimmers.
By the same token, it was good to see some of T&T’s track and field greats supporting the Simplex’s event. History-making first-ever T&T Olympic gold medallist Hasely Crawford along with Charlie Joseph and Ian Morris, to name a few, were in attendance.
The youngsters appreciated their presence and were happy to take photos with, in particular, Hasely Crawford. Seeing and speaking with athletes and coaches who have done it at the world and Olympic levels can inspire and motivate young sportsmen and women so that they too can fulfil their potential and achieve greatness.