Prime Minister trips at cricket camp event in Penal

RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
[email protected]

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar tripped on an uneven stage flooring on Wednesday during the closing ceremony of the Java Cricket Community Program but escaped injury.

The incident occurred around 4:30pm, at Wilson Road Cricket Ground, Penal.

As she was being led to her seat, the flooring sank causing her to trip. She was quickly helped up. Gesturing to the audience, she indicated she was not hurt.

As she took to the podium Persad-Bissessar hinted at the fall telling the children, “Not every fall is to be ashamed of. Because when you fall, we get back in and we fight, and we continue to fight and keep hope going.”

She added:” So if you dropped a ball, don’t worry, keep the hope and catch the next ball that comes your way, or take that ball home. Take that cricket bat and hit it far out beyond the boundaries.”

Persad-Bissessar said: “This was a very highly anticipated event and was meant to engage you, young people, not just in cricketing skills and sporting skills, but also in life skills.”

She added: “We are trying to create a global champion in every sporting discipline through a carefully crafted program, which includes high quality facilities, specialized experts, and a rigorous agenda of training and competition.”

Persad-Bissessar ended by telling the children: “See good and good will always follow you. See good and goodness to all who follow you.”

Meanwhile Education Minister Dr Michael Dowlath also spoke on government’s back-to-school initiatives saying over 300 schools were repaired during the holiday.

He said: “Children and young people are the center of national development and this is a central philosophy of this government so we are investing both in classrooms and cricket fields because both build strong and confident citizens.”

Dr Dowlath said: “We started with 279 schools and in addition 169 emergency works. So Prime Minister it came up to 395 projects over the July August.”

On laptop distribution, he said: “Beginning at the end of September, the first phase of the rollout of 18,000 laptops for our new Form 1 students will begin.”

He added: “Especially for special needs students, we would have assistive-ready devices ensuring equity and access. There are AI-enabled laptops preparing students not just for today’s classroom, but for tomorrow’s workplace.”

On the book grant program, Dr Dowlath said: “During that mid-year review, we got approval for 20,000 students to receive the school supplies and book grant. So Prime Minister, up to today we have distributed 8.1 million of that directly to parents.”

Meanwhile National Security Minister Roger Alexander addressed school safety. He said: “At the opening of the school term, 95 police officers will be placed in schools in and around Trinidad and Tobago.”

He told students: “The Prime Minister was thinking about giving you all your first LLE certificate. You live, you learn, and you earn. So that is your certificate.”

He urged students to go to school, learn, and earn.”