Top junior athletes will be on show when the Sagicor Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Age Group Championships takes place at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port-of-Spain, on July 18 and 19.
Athletes from 20 countries will compete in the 11-12 and 13-14 age groups at the CAC meet which began in 1985. At the event's press conference at the Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain, president of the National Association of Athletics Administrations (NAAA) Ephraim Serrette said many top athletes started their careers at the CAC Age Group Games.
Serrette said, "It's an event that is designed for participation for athletes between the ages 11 and 12 and 13 and 14. Over the years some notable persons who have participated in this event such as Debbie Ferguson-McKenzie from Bahamas and Kim Collins from St Kitts and Nevis. From T&T we have seen the rise Andwelle Wright coming out of this programme and Tyriq Horsford.
"It is an event that is designed for us to look at the athletes and look at the strengths of the athletes. We look forward to two days of exciting competition."
Games chairman Allan Baboolal explained that each country is allowed to register 12 persons for the meet - eight athletes and four officials.
Some of the sponsors of the event includes Blue Waters, Tourism Development Company Ltd and title sponsor Sagicor.
Michelle Serville, manager marketing and business development at Sagicor General, said the company was approached to be part of the CAC Age Group Games following on from the success of the recent NGC-Sagicor National Open Championships.
"We jumped at the opportunity to once again show our solidarity and partner with an organisation that shares our passion for T&T sport," Serville said. "In an addition to promoting healthy lifestyles, this type of event strongly supports more than youth development. It helps to engender academic as well as self discipline. Sport opens many doors such as scholarships and endorsements as well as the opportunity to represent your country at the highest level."
