Youth and sports department hails elite athlete programme
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Contact: Julita Peter
Wednesday 6 October 2010 – The Department of Youth and Sports says the Elite Athlete Programme is beginning to build momentum this year. According to Deputy Permanent Secretary, Joanna Reynolds Arthurton, although the programme has been around for some time now, 2010 is really the kick off year.
The Elite Athlete Programme provides financial and technical support in the area of training in preparation for local, regional and international competitions.
“The grant may be used for medical expenses, travel expenses coaching expenses and also purchase of equipment. This year while we have at least two elite athletes, this year our assistance is directed at Levern Spencer only. We have another elite athlete in the person of Darren Sammy, who falls out of the category of persons we hope to assist, but we are hoping in the future, we will be able to assist many more athletes in that regard.”
In order to increase the number of athletes for the Elite Athlete Programme, the Department of Youth and Sports is currently undertaking a Talent Identification Programme at the primary school level. Through this programme students are taken through a training process, with the aim of getting them to eventually perform at an elite level. Earlier this week International High Jumper Levern Spencer received thirty-thousand dollars under the Elite Athlete programme, making her the first beneficiary.
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