Page 9 - TRINBAGO2023 MAGAZINE

07

Dame Louise Martin

President
of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF)

As President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, For most young athletes, aged 14-18, this will be their
it gives me enormous pleasure to welcome you to the first international competition or first multi-sport Games. I
7th edition of the Commonwealth Youth Games. was just sixteen years old myself when I swam at the
1962 Commonwealth Games in Australia. So much will
Organised by and for young people, with a bold vision be going through their minds. They will be overwhelmed
of “Changing Lives for the Better”, Trinbago 2023 will and at the same time excited and raring to go. My
welcome 1000 of the Commonwealth’s finest young advice to them is simple: to believe; to perform; and to
athletes from 71 nations and territories. enjoy every moment.

Everyone involved in the delivery of these Games – from I congratulate all athletes for securing their places here at
the organisers, to the volunteers, sponsors and host Trinbago 2023 and wish them all the best for the
communities - should be very proud. Your Youth Games competition ahead. They are diverse, unique and equal
are the first-ever in the Caribbean; the first to welcome members of one big sporting family and – especially in
Para athletes; the first to be spread across two islands; this Commonwealth Year of Youth – I know we will join
and the most sustainable Youth Games yet. together from 4-11 August and celebrate each and
every one of them.
Thank you Trinidad and Tobago for hosting us and for
the extensive efforts to realise your vision. I am For now, however, I would like to thank and celebrate
confident that the Games will showcase your ambitious everyone involved in organising the Games, especially
twin island republic, make strides in cultivating global the wonderful army of volunteers. Please allow me to
friendships and – in a world of uncertainty and change - make special mention of the Honourable Minister for
give young people more confidence and opportunities Sport and Community Development, Shamfa Cudjoe;
to connect, learn and thrive. TTCGA President, Diane Henderson; Youth Games
Chairman, Douglas Camacho; TTCGA Secretary
With a key focus on legacy it is, of course, far more General, Annette Knott; and, of course, the three
than a sporting event – and the timing and focus of the young leaders who developed the original bid –
Games around Emancipation Day is significant. Kwanieze John, Chanelle Young and Rheeze Grant –
Through these Games, as envisioned by the team of with support from TTCGA Past President Brian Lewis.
young leaders who developed the bid, we can Without your collective leadership and support, none of
acknowledge the wrongs of the past to unlock our this would be possible.
future potential.
It has been a huge team effort – delivered in record time
I truly hope all athletes seize this moment. I hope all – and the stage is now set.
athletes make the most of this Caribbean carnival of
inspiring competition, personal development and Welcome to the Trinbago 2023 Commonwealth Youth
global friendship. Games.