SANTA CRUZ: Trinidad and Tobago’s reigning Olympic men’s javelin gold medallist Keshorn Walcott took some time off his pre-season training for next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to visit the Santa Cruz United Football Academy at the Brian Lara Recreational Grounds, Santa Cruz on Saturday.
Walcott’s visit was part of the Academy’s mentorship programme and the iconic athlete shared his experiences with the young footballers on how hard he trained to excel in his sport of javelin. He told them how he threw coconuts and mangos on the beach in his native Toco as part of his preparation. The 22-year-old also encouraged them to be disciplined in order to be successful.
Walcott also stunned the youngsters as he showed off some of his dribbling and ball skills. few knew that he played on the Toco Secondary football team while a student there.
Walcott was one of many sports celebrities to speak to the youngsters recently.
West Indies and Trinidad and Tobago allrounder Dwayne Bravo also visited the Academy.
The Santa Cruz United Football Academy is run by head coach and president Ricardo Brizam along with his staff. The Academy is open to youngsters between the ages of five to 16 years with sessions held on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 7pm and on Saturday from 9am to 11:30am.