The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) joins with the rest of the national community in celebrating Keshorn Walcott's stunning victory on Saturday in the final of the men's javelin throw event at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath said Walcott's performance was a testimony to the virtues of hard work, perseverance and self-belief which he said comprised the cornerstone of Walcott's "unbelieveable demonstration of athletic excellence." Bassarath said apart from Walcott winning only the second Olympic gold medal in the nation's history-after Hasely Crawford's 100 metre victory at the 1976 Montreal Games in Canada-the T&T sprinters also did themselves proud by bring home three bronze medals. He said young gold medallist Walcott has displayed to the world, his immense talent, fearlessness and determination, bringing home gold in an event in which our country had little or no track record.
"His feat should always be a reminder to our nation that though the pathway may not be well-worn, we must not be afraid to go forward if we are confident of our skill and ability," Bassarath said. "It is a tribute to the boundless reservoir of talent that exists in a country with just over 1.3 million people that we can take our place among the best in the world and prove that we are worthy competitors and are capable of scaling the loftiest heights," said Bassarath.
"Our congratulations go out also to the Ministry of Sport, the National Association of Athletics Administration, the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee and all its affiliates, coaches, trainers, medical staff, past Olympians and other important resource personnel who contributed to the successes of our national Olympic squad. Your efforts demonstrate clearly, what a planned and cohesive team effort can achieve," he said. The T&TCB chief also praised the contribution of Minister of Sports Anil Roberts for keeping faith in the nation's sportsmen and the Olympic team in particular saying he must take some of the credit for ensuring that the athletes were given all the encouragement and Government backing in the lead-up to the Olympics.
Bassarath urged Government to continue to invest in sports facilities especially in rural communities, like Toco, which produced the natural talent of Walcott.
He said the T&TCB development programmes also target often overlooked communities which are continuing to churn out scores of talented cricketers, both male and female. Bassarath said the London medals are a perfect gift for the nation on its 50th anniversary of independence and he is optimistic that the T&T cricketers can add to the celebrations when they participate later this year in the Champions League T20 in South Africa. "All sportsmen and women will be inspired by the performances of our team and our sports administrators, at all levels, must build on your achievements. The T&TCB once again congratulates Team Trinidad and Tobago and look forward to more individual and team successes in the future," Bassarath said.