Grenadian athletes resume training

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, January 9, 2011 – Several top Grenadian athletes are participating in a Talent Identification Programme which has resumed in the parish of St. David.

                                                                     

Lucy Fortune, a 100 and 200-metre specialist, was among more than 35 athletes who were involved in the resumption of training at the La Sagesse Playing Field on Saturday.

Also participating in the training programme was Lyndon Toussaint, a stand out in the javelin and discus throws. Both Toussaint and Fortune were members of the national team which participated in the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore last year.

“Training will be in rotation throughout the country,’’ said Conrad Francis, Coordinator of Sports in the Ministry of Sports. “The ministry’s coaches will work with the athletes on Saturdays. During the week, they would train with their respective club and school coaches.’’

The Talent Identification Programme, through which many of the best national athletes will be chosen for regional and international meets including the annual Junior CARIFTA Games, is part of a new Sports Policy which was approved by Cabinet late last year.

The policy is designed to assist in better identifying, selecting and producing Grenada’s most outstanding athletes, and to provide assistance and guidance in becoming professional sportsmen and women.

The Talent Identification training is a joint undertaken by the Grenada Athletic Association and the Ministry of Sports with the latter providing support with the preparation of the grounds, coaching and transportation of athletes from across the country.

Among coaches assisting the athletes are Bruce Swan, Kerlon Peters, Denise Williams, Albert Joseph and Quammy Joseph.

Story and photos submitted by Jaime Campbell of the Ministry of Youth Empowerment & Sports