International Master (IM) Alan-Safar Ramoutar and Women’s International Master (WIM) Gabriella Johnson scooped up the top awards at the T&T Chess Association’s (TTCA) annual prize-giving ceremony at Kelly Hall, Presentation College, Chaguanas, last Sunday.
Ramoutar, a Naparima College student, picked up both the Senior and Junior “Sportswoman of the Year” awards and the national Junior Absolute Champion title, while Johnson took home the senior “Sportswoman of the Year” the award.
Women’s Candidate Master (WCM) Shemilah James, of St Francois Girls’ College, was considered the strongest women’s player in the junior category. She was named the junior “Sportswoman of the Year” after emerging the national women’s champion and the Under-18 division winner.
TTCA president Sonja Johnson, in her address, stressed the need to continue building on the strategic partnerships fostered in 2019, including the enhanced relationship with the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the International Chess Federation, FIDE. She thanked the many sponsors and partners who assisted the TTCA in delivering its mandate.
Johnson also called on people to volunteer on specific committees aimed at strengthening the association, noting the wide cross-section of schools from which the awardees came from. She also thanked the many coaches who continue to give their time to improve the standard of players in the country.
Also honoured were national champion absolute Fide Master (FM) Kevin Cupid, national Swiss winner FM Isaiah Mc Intosh, national Blitz champion FM Joshua Johnson, of the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and seniors Courtney Lee (65-plus) and Hayden Lee (50-plus).
The leading players from this year’s National Youth and Junior Chess Championships were also recognised for their outstanding performance, including Bishop Anstey’s Jennika Lynch, the national junior girls’ champion and CM Sean Yearwood (St Mary’s College), the U-18 Absolute.
Newly-appointed deputy permanent secretary of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, Claire Davidson-Williams, congratulated the TTCA on its efforts. She also reconfirmed the ministry’s commitment to the TTCA and other sporting bodies. Davidson-Williams said she was pleased at the level of performance by young girls in the sport and said that this was in keeping with the ministry’s “Pink Reign Campaign” which focuses on increasing female participation in sport.