Page 5 - TRINBAGO2023 MAGAZINE

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Message From

The President
of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T.

Athletes, officials, support staff and well-wishers, Kirani James of Grenada, Caster Semenya of South
Trinidad and Tobago welcomes you with open arms to Africa and Jessica Ennis-Hill of Great Britain have gone
the 7th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games. on to medal at the Olympic Games, the marquee event
The entire country has waited with excitement for the of world sport, and in other premier events. I have high
staging of these historic Games which will see hopes that Trinbago 2023 will prove a catalyst for the
1000-plus athletes and para-athletes from across the growth and development of today’s youth athletes into
Commonwealth compete in seven sports over six the elite athletes of the future.
days. This country could not be more thrilled to host
the Youth Games for the very first time, especially Our youth athletes have worked hard to prepare for
since it includes for the first time in the Games’s these Games, juggling training with schoolwork and
history the fully integrated para-athletics programme. making tremendous sacrifices. Although they have faced
many disappointments and setbacks along the way,
The theme of this year’s competition is, ‘Changing including the disruption and dislocation of the Covid-19
Lives for the Better’. This theme underscores the pandemic, they persevered and were eventually selected
positive impact that sport can have on youth to represent their countries at these Games. I am
development and how sport can bring people confident that this group of athletes will continue to hone
together. Sport, as we all know, plays a key role in and perfect their sporting abilities and make their national
youth development, promoting mental, emotional and communities and the entire Commonwealth exceedingly
physical wellbeing and building teamwork, respect proud.
and solidarity— attributes which, according to the
United Nations, are critical to building peaceful and I wish to commend, applaud and offer my gratitude to
cohesive societies. the organisers, volunteers and other personnel who
worked tirelessly to make Trinbago 2023 a reality. Their
It is therefore truly a privilege to provide a platform for hard work has led to this point.
promising young athletes to sharpen their skills, gain
invaluable experience and build the confidence they I know that all athletes will do their very best as they
need to perform at the senior level. This is the first participate in the respective categories. They will be
opportunity that many of the athletes are experiencing cheered on by their supporters and the Commonwealth
of being in a team environment with multi sports and family of nations. While everyone is competing, let’s
in meeting different athletes from around the world; all ensure that there is also joy in participating at these
of this leads to the personal and further development Games. I wish all athletes every success at the 7th
of the athlete and ultimately the development of youth Commonwealth Youth Games.
sport. Former Commonwealth Youth athletes such as