15 March 2023, Balmain, Couva
The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. (SporTT) presented a cheque on Wednesday to the Aquatics Sports Association of Trinidad and Tobago (ASATT), where star junior swimmer Nikoli Blackman expressed his excitement at the prospect of competing in front of a home crowd at the Commonwealth Youth Games to be held from 4-11 August 2023 in Trinidad and Tobago.
In receiving the sum of $261,587.22 on behalf of ASATT, General Secretary Dinora Gil said the funds will cover expenses of the eight-member national team who participated at the CCCAN Swimming and Open Water Championships in Barbados last year. Trinidad and Tobago finished in 5th position overall, splashing to 4 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze medals. Looking ahead, Ms. Gil said the Association has high expectations for the national team and coaches who are diligently preparing for the upcoming Carifta Swimming Championships in April, one of two qualifier events for the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Blackman, a Fatima College student heading soon to the University of Tennessee, shared that he is looking forward to stepping up to the challenge of collegiate swimming and by extension, making his debut at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024. Given his current form, the 17-year-old sprint swimmer plans to achieve his goals by taking each race as it comes, making every effort to as close to the qualifying times as possible.
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