Current Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) champions Naparima College partnered with Explosion de Campeones to conduct the inaugural Nike Elite Football Training camp for young footballers which kicked off at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, two weekends ago.
Over the course of the two days, participants’ performances were assessed and evaluated as they passed through a series of challenges and exercises.
At the end of each day, sevena- side tournaments were held, and the winners of the junior and senior tournaments were recognised and rewarded.
Each footballer received a computer read-out of their assessment during the camp.
The camp featured approximately 100 young footballers from Naparima College, Primary Schools in San Fernando and TT Pro League clubs.
Present at the opening ceremony were Mayor of San Fernando, Kazim Hosein; principal of Naparima College, Dr Michael Dowlath; event sponsors, Danny’s Enterprises represented by Danny Gokool, and president of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association David John-Williams.
The Mayor, Gokool (and his sons) and John-Williams are all past students of Naparima College.
During his address, Hosein commended the school on this initiative and encouraged the footballers to strive towards developing their skills as well as discipline which they could apply to other areas of their lives.
The Mayor said he was pleased that Primary Schools in the San Fernando area were invited to the camp, as this would continue to develop the talent of young people of his constituency.
Dr. Dowlath expressed his pride in Naparima College for their prowess in sports during recent years, and his gratitude to the generous alumni who contributed to bringing this programme to fruition.
The school principal encouraged the young men present to apply themselves, enjoy the camp and demonstrate good sportsmanship throughout.
Additionally, the TTFA president reminded students present of the recent win of the West Indies World Twenty20 victory and of the way that sports unites us as a people.
He also noted that the top T20 bowler in the world, Samuel Badree, was also a local boy and a past student of Naparima College.
John-Williams encouraged students to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them to hone their skills and to aspire towards national and international competition.
Finally, Gokool, who was instrumental in connecting Naparima College to Michael Bookbinder of Northbay International (Nike agents for the Caribbean and Central America), as well as the sponsor of the camp, told students of his own experience playing football as a young man, and how the sport enabled him to develop discipline and diligence in overcoming weaknesses while building on strengths.
This determination and diligence, he noted, would serve the boys well not just in sport, but in every aspect of life.
Danny’s Enterprises was proud to sponsor the camp as part of its drive to give back to the local community as a responsible corporate citizen.
At the end of the camp, all footballers received certificates of participation, with the top performers of the tournaments awarded prizes.
Bookbinder presented the two Most Valuable Players (one senior and one junior) with a year’s sponsorship of Nike gear.
Coming away with these top honours were Chaz Forde (9- 12) from San Fernando Boys’ RC and Tyrike Andrews (13- 16) of Naparima College.
It is envisioned that three progressive camps would be held annually.
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