Dr. Gloudon welcome CariFin Team in Training

 Hi everybody it is Friday August 22, 2008; the final days of the Olympics; and we are looking at getting something solid going for our “CariFin Team in Training for UWI half Marathon.” I was at the UWI SPEC International Half Marathon launch and this is my coverage…..

UWI SPEC International Half Marathon was launched on Wednesday August 20, 2008 at 10:00 am at First Citizens Corporate Center at 9 Queen’s Park East, Port of Spain.

First things first – First Citizens is the Presenting Sponsor and did a very good job hosting the press conference.
The who’s who in sports and Athletics were present and the speakers were quite interesting as they made worthwhile contributions.

Dr. Iva Gloudon, Director – Sports and Physical education of UWI did the welcome and Overview and gave some really beautiful insights about the significance of the UWI Spec International Half Marathon and the role it should play in the community in developing overall fitness and technique among the local runners.

The Technical Briefing came from Raffique Shah, Technical Adviser of the organizing committee a man we all know and appreciate apart from his part in the 1970 uprising. He has played a major role in spreading and promoting community running for general fitness (specifically for long distance) and the Trinidad and Tobago marathon in particular. He touched on a range of topics that addressed the whole purpose of this event and the role it could play in alleviating sedentary lifestyles, promote fitness and pointing out the technical deficiencies in our running.

Professor Clement Sankat – Principal of the Campus- shared his views on the importance of the university’s in academics in the national community and the Caribbean. He thanked the sponsors and expressed that sport is not only about winning, but it also develops spirit and passion. Passion for success; passion for excellence; commitment and endurance. He went on to say that these are the things we want to develop in our students and he believes that this half marathon and UWI’s participation will encourage this.
He further elaborated that this half marathon goes to the root of issues that are very important to us in these times in which we live and the more we get people involved in athletics and sporting activities then we would be moving in the right kind of direction.

But as we continue to build our “CariFin Team in Training for the UWI International Half Marathon” which takes place on Sunday November 02, 2008, I took the opportunity to talk to Dr. Iva Gloudon – Director of Sports & Physical Education, Dale Mohammed – Community Relations Officer and Francis Williams-Smith – A Central Banker, and former NAAA President and now Head of the Caribbean Games Committee… To bring us greetings and reflect on the importance of our community (Financial sector) in training and participating in an event like “UWI Spec International Half Marathon”
Please view and listen to what they have to say!