Press release 24 November 2009

Darren Ganga & Darryl Brown invited to London 2012’s ‘International Inspiration’ launch in Trinidad and Tobago.

Darren Ganga, Darryl Brown and a senior British Minister are taking time out from their busy schedules during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) and sport training to help launch International Inspiration (II) in Trinidad and Tobago, on Saturday 28 November 2009, as the Island becomes the ninth country worldwide to sign on to London 2012’s Olympic and Paralympic international legacy programme.

The launch will include: a mini Sports Festival for primary school children which has been planned and managed by 40 young people from 5 secondary schools, who received Youth Sport Leadership training from the Youth Sport Trust (UK).  The young people are from East Mucurapo Secondary, El Dorado East Secondary, Toco Secondary, Mayaro Secondary and Speyside High School, who also have the benefit of establishing links with 5 UK Secondary schools that are in Trinidad and Tobago visiting with them this week.

II is a core strand of London 2012’s international education programme, and will use the power of sport to transform the lives of 12 million children and young people of all abilities in 20 countries by 2012. Formally recognised by the International Olympic Committee and International Paralympic Committee, II represents a first from the Olympic and Paralympic movements for children, and is already making a difference to the lives of children and young people in Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brazil, India, Jordan, Mozambique, Palau and Zambia.   

A first from the Olympic and Paralympic movements for children and young people, II aims to respond to existing partner government priorities, rather than imposing a prescribed programme model. In Trinidad & Tobago, II is in line with the nation’s Vision 2020 development plan and will focus on capacity building and Sport for Development programmes aimed at addressing the escalating issues of violence, HIV stigma and discrimination.

A partnership between UK Sport, the British Council and UNICEF, in Trinidad and Tobago II will also be managed and executed by a steering committee made up of a number of agencies including the Ministries of Sport and Youth Affairs and of Education, The Trinidad and Tobago Alliance for Sport and Physical Education, Special Olympics and Paralympic Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago and the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago.

Seb Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “I am thrilled to be welcoming Trinidad and Tobago to the International Inspiration programme. Our vision is to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change and to inspire children around the world to choose sport.

“The International Inspiration programme in Trinidad and Tobago will have a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of children and young people in the country by providing them with sport and play opportunities.”