Cheers and screams of delight greeted West Indies cricket team all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as he entered the Jean Pierre media room yesterday (Friday). Bravo had accepted an invitation from the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) to speak to the participants at the 5th Annual TTOC, Olympic Academy Olympic Youth Camp.
The 23-year-old Santa Cruz resident spoke without a script during his thirty-minute address. Bravo, a former Tranquility Secondary school student told the Olympic youth campers that focus, self-discipline, self -belief, and dedication were necessary ingredients for success. He urged the Youth campers to forget the “bling”.
“Concentrate on working hard and loving and enjoying the pursuit of excellence. The bling is out there, but you must have a bigger vision for yourself and a higher sense of purpose. My goals ever since I was a little boy was to be the best cricketer I could be and to play cricket for my country and to make the West Indies cricket team by the age of 23 years. I achieved my goal by age 20. The money, fame, etc. was and is not my goal, improving and being the best I can be is my goal.“
Bravo said.
Bravo cautioned that there are many distractions, but counseled his attentive audience that it is important that they focus on getting and staying fit, eating properly, improving their technique and tactical awareness, and being coachable. He admitted that the rewards and benefits earned by modern sportsmen and women for achieving excellence are “enormous” and well worth the effort and dedication. He however urged the youngsters to pay attention to their education.
“You do not want to be in a position where someone can give you a six for a nine. You must be able to read, write, speak properly and count.“
The popular Trinidadian sports personality cautioned that when an athlete is wearing the national colours it is important to understand that “you” are representing not only the 1.3 million citizens of T&T but every T&T national around the world.
“My personal philosophy is country first self after.”
Bravo advised,
“it is important that when you make it big and I have no doubt that many of you present here today will one day be role models, that you remember to give back to your country and community. Lead by example.”
