BLINK BMOBILE, a subsidiary of Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT), are paying specific emphasis on youth as the group is sponsoring the National Primary Schools draughts and checkers competition.
Thousands of primary schoolchildren are being taught the rudiments of the game by coaches who are affiliated with the Trinidad and Tobago Draughts and Checkers Association (TTDCA).
Celine Merritt, of the Tacarigua Anglican Primary School, is a 12-year-old who expressed her delight in learning the fundamentals of the game.
“I have had a lot of fun learning and playing the games,” said Merritt. “The coaches were really good and the training helped me to focus on being a better player.
“I would pass on video games any day to play this,” she continued. “I enjoy the challenge and I like eating my competitor’s pieces.” This project is geared towards aiding the development of the country’s youths through competitive sport as well as instilling fundamental life skills in the pre-teens.
The TTDCA, through its “School Coaching Programme”, teaches children and adolescents in the art and science of these mentally-stimulating sports.
Gregory Julian, principal of St Pius Boys’ Primary School, stated, “It teaches the kids valuable lessons such as respect for one’s opponent, it trains them in critical thinking, cause and effect and helps them deal with both winning and losing.
“They can transfer this knowledge into their school and home lives.”
The TTDCA, which was instituted in 1992, has over 12 affiliated clubs and it is dedicated to the growth and promotion of the game.
President of the TTDCA, Rufus Foster stressed that his organisation has a bigger plan than to just train persons in these sports, but to additionally uplift society through mentally invigorating, affirmative competition.
“I applaud the initiative of TSTT and I am grateful that they had the vision to get involved with something that positively affects the lives of school children,” he said. “Because of TSTT’s support, these kids were able to learn about and gain necessary tools such as sacrifice, creativity, problem- solving and concentration.”
Source: www.newsday.co.tt