CGC supports the Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee in becoming an official International Paralympic Committee member
Sport history is being made for athletes living with a disability in Trinidad and Tobago, with the support of Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) and its Canadian Sport Leadership Corps (CSLC) internship program.
The Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee (TTPC) was recently ratified as an official International Paralympic Committee (IPC) member, opening the door for local athletes living with a disability to compete on the international stage.
Trinidad and Tobago sport officials are certain this will bring new and exciting opportunities to local athletes living with a disability.
“Though we have taken part in both basketball and blind cricket competitions outside of Trinidad and Tobago, we've not taken part in many other sport activities for people living with disabilities,” said André Collins, Vice-President of the Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education (TTASPE). “This will bring more opportunities, as well as the ability to bring in coaches and access other IPC development programs.”
“Commonwealth Games Canada and its internship program have helped make this possible,” added Collins. “The program is beneficial to us as an organization, but we know it also means a lot to the interns by contributing to their growth and development.”
Established in 2001 through support from the Canadian International Development Agency and the Department of Canadian Heritage, CSLC provides young Canadian university graduates with the opportunity to work with social development partners in Southern Africa and the Caribbean. Interns apply the “development through sport” concept to address development priorities such as basic education, nutrition and health, capacity building, and HIV/AIDS education and awareness.
Former CSLC intern, Jennifer Wong, has been working in partnership with both TTASPE and the TTPC to improve the variety and level of sporting opportunities for those living with a disability.
“When I first started the internship program, I don't think I fully understood what the idea of sport for development meant,” said 24-year-old Wong. “But after being immersed in this program, and in Paralympics especially, my eyes have been opened to the power of sport and how it can make a difference in both individual development and community development.”
Following the success of her CGC internship, Wong secured full-time employment with TTASPE.
“I’m so grateful to the staff at CGC,” said Wong. “Their support and overwhelming generosity has helped me attain a job in a field that I’m passionate about.”
CGC officials are thrilled the program has contributed to the individual success of Wong, as well as the opportunities available for athletes living with a disability in Trinidad and Tobago.
“The ratification of the TTPC as an official member of the IPC is a tangible example of the positive impact CGC's internships and international development through sport can have,” said Hannah Juneau, International Internships Program Officer. “This is fantastic news for athletes living with a disability in Trinidad and Tobago, and we are thrilled to contribute to increasing the quality of competition for athletes across the globe.”
About International Development through Sport
International Development though Sport (IDS) is a branch of Commonwealth Games Canada. Since 1993, IDS has been operating in selected developing Commonwealth countries in Africa and the Caribbean and aims to increase collaboration and promote partnerships between local, national and international organizations to advance the concept and delivery of development through sport and development of sport.
About Commonwealth Games Canada
Commonwealth Games Canada (CGC) is the international franchise holder for the Commonwealth Games and Commonwealth movement in Canada, and an active, contributing member of the Canadian sport community. The mission of Commonwealth Games Canada is to strengthen sport within Canada and throughout the Commonwealth, by participating in the Commonwealth Games and by using sport as a development tool.
