TelEm Group is co-sponsoring four St. Maarten athletes for participation in the Carifta Games Track & Field meet in Bermuda this weekend.Athletes Sheldon Wilson, Javan Springett, Edwin Ruan and Chris George will be leaving St. Maarten today along with Sheldon’s coach Fagan Fontaine and delegate leader/President of the St. Maarten Amateur Athletic Association, Les Brown for the weekend gathering.
According to Les, the athletes are very excited about competing against other top athletes in the Caribbean region.
"The Carifta Games are the Caribbean’s regional equivalent to the Olympics so everyone tries to do their best so that they can be noticed on a wider stage," said Les.
He is especially proud of the team of four athletes who will be competing for St. Maarten for the first time representing Country St. Maarten.
"The facilities for our athletes to prepare has not been the most favourable because of the condition of our sports centers, but they have been dedicated to carrying out their training program on the beaches, the hillsides and anywhere they could so that they could get fit and ready to take on the best," continued Les.
He said much attention will be on Milton Peters College student Sheldon Wilson, who will be competing in the 400m and 200m track and field events.
"Sheldon has run a best time of .48 sec. in the 400m so we are looking for him to be in the final race at this distance. We also think he will do well in the 200m because he has good endurance," said Les.
The delegate leader says the other members of the travelling team are made up of three St. Maarten Academy students. Of the three, Javan Springett,17, and Chris George, 17, will both compete in the long jump and triple jump while Edwin Ruan 18, will compete in the 100m and triple jump events.
While the coach and delegate leader are keen to test the level of development of the St. Maarten athletes against other athletes in the region , they are however disappointed that they are not taking any female athletes to the tournament this year, especially as they have traditionally performed well at this level.
Les explained that because of the lack of suitable training and preparation facilities, the female contestants did not make the required qualifying times that would allow them to compete.
"We were hoping to take a team of eight but instead we will be travelling with four," said Les.
TelEm Group Chief Technical Officer (CTO) Mr. Eldert Louisa on Tuesday presented Les with a sponsorship check on behalf of the athletes along with TelCell t-shirts for the young athletes to wear on their trip.
"We wish the athletes all the best as they represent St. Maarten overseas and we also congratulate the St. Maarten Amateur Athletic Association and LAB Sports Academy for continuing to open up new sporting opportunities for our youth," said Mr. Louisa.