Laureano Bisan-Etame Mayer, most popularly known as Lauren, touched down at the Roxborough Secondary School last Tuesday for the launch of the British Airways Tobago Football Legends Challenge.
Lauren, a 5ft 9 inch, right back, football player, made his international debut for Cameroon way back in 1998. He also played for Arsenal in the English Premiere League, FA Cup and the UEFA Championships League.
“It is my first time here in Trinidad and Tobago, everything is organised, all smiley faces and happiness. I feel good. I learned about the culture before I came and I want to have some local cuisine,” said Lauren.
He has played in different positions and hopes that he can encourage local players to be more versatile instead of focusing on one positon like striker or midfielder.
Present at the launch which was chaired by John Arnold, Events Coordinator in the Division of Tourism and Transport were; Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Tourism and Transportation; Tracy Davidson-Celestine, Secretary of Education, Youth Affairs and Sport; Huey Cadette, Managing Director of Flow, Brian Collins, President of the Tobago Football Association, Raymond Alleyne, former Soca Warriors World Cup player, Cyd Gray and Guinness Caribbean freestyle champion, Kerron Ford.
Would facilities be ready to host such an internationally renowned event? Tobago News asked Secretary Cadette. He says, “We are working assiduously toward having the Dwight Yorke Stadium ready for the Tournament in June. Now that we have a newly appointed Minister of Sport, Brent Sancho, who is also a footballer we hope for his intervention.”
Cadette speaking at the launch, encouraged the students to sieze the opportunity for interaction, to learn, to attain and maintain success. Cyd Gray shared similar sentiments on grasping opportunities with both hands, and believes that his good friend and former Soca Warriors World Cup player, Minister Sancho will put his foot into this venture to ensure it is a successful one.
Celestine identified three key areas where opportunities would arise. There will be an increased number of tourists coming for a slice of paradise, an opportunity to show off some local skill and for youth interaction and a boost in the tourism sector for hotels, guest houses, taxis and more. She closed by saying, “Ultimately tourism belongs to each of us and sport development belongs to all of us.”
Arnold emphasised the need for nationwide participation and broadcasted an open invitation for more stakeholders to invest in this auspicious event.