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Fri, Mar

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Meet Dr Terence Babwah, the man in charge of getting the Soca Warriors fit, and keeping them that way, for their tilt at the World Cup.


Right now they are physically well prepared and have developed a chemistry among themselves that is "simply exciting," said Babwah who is head of the national football squad medical team.

He said that the Warriors were set to begin a training programme in England next month for one week and will spend another two weeks in training in Austria.

His job is to keep each of the 23 players healthy.

"If anyone of them should break down, the challenge would be to get them back in shape quickly," he said.

A medical practitioner with a private practice in Princes Town, Babwah is one of a handful of doctors in Trinidad specialising in sports medicine.

He also heads a primary health care clinic at the Princes Town Medical Facility. Previously the Princes Town District Hospital, the facility has been voted one of the best in the country since it opened three years ago.

His work in sports medicine began at school. He attended Naparima College, San Fernando graduating in 1996. His interest in sports and medicine kept him attached to the school's football team until 2000. In 2001, he administered to the under 20s national men's team and in 2002 took under his wing the Women's National Team. Since 2003 he has been in charge of the medical team for the national players who he is bent on keeping in shape for for the World Cup in Germany in June.

"Advising the players on the appropriate medicines that are permitted in sports has taken priority as drug testing among athletes continue to be a sore topic,"said 33-year -old Babwah.

He pointed out that there were more than a thousand types of prescribed over-the-counter drugs that contained banned substances for athletes."A lot of the high energy food and drinks on the market contain substances that are banned in sports," he warned.

The national football team actually begins training on May 8, for a game in Trinidad and two days later they would be heading out for Manchester,England and then to Austria, Babwah said.

"Basically," he said, "they are a disciplined bunch who have known each other for many years. There is a good commaraderie among the players."

He said though they had to polish up a bit to become more fit.

Noting that nutrition played an important role in the life of an athlete, he said, most local athletes do not pay sufficient attention to the things they eat and drink.

It's something he does not intend to treat with lightly.

He said that national focus and expectation on the team poses a challenge to him and he had to make sure that he was not held responsible for any errors as far as the health of the players was concerned.

Preventing and treating injuries were also a major part in sports medicine, Babwah stressed.

"When injuries occur, emphasis is placed on treating the player so that he would return to the arena in as short a time as possible," he said.

The medical team for the Soca Warriors include a massage therapist, physiotherapist and sport therapist. A staff of 22 has been hired for the World Cup and according to Babwah the group had "a very close friendship and the time spent together were filled with love and laughter and positive energy."

"We all want a good performance and the Soca Warriors hold the promise of doing us proud in Germany," he said.

And he wants to make sure there will be no letdown for want of fitness.

A Sports Medicine and Injury Prevention Seminar at which the Warriors are expected to attend will be held at the Princes Town Medical Facility next Friday.