Table Tennis Athletes Join List of Trinidad & Tobago's Elite

Image 1: Director of Sport and Physical Education, Paul Newallo makes a point to swimming biomechanics expert, Dr. Rod Havrilock behind Mrs. Sharon McLean, mother of cheque recipient Sharntelle McLean.
Image 2: Michael Valentine speaks on behalf of TT Table Tennis Association while PS Margaret Farray look on.
Image 3: Raphael St. Louis, father of Dexter speaks with Barbara Bovell and Reon Castillo, cousin of Rheann Chung.
Image 4: Deputy PS, Ashwin Creed observes at the proceedings in front of Time to Shine banner.

Four athletes in swimming and table tennis have now qualified to receive funding from the Government under the Elite Athletes Assistance Programme.

The cheque presentation took place on Thursday 19 April 2007 from 1:30pm at the 5 th Floor Conference Room, Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, 12 Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain .

The athletes will received $100,000.00 towards their training and other preparation for upcoming international events such as the Pan American Games. The athletes to receive funding are:

v Swimming: Nicholas Bovell, Sharntelle McLean
v Table Tennis: Dexter St. Louis, Rheann Chung

Like his older brother, Olympic bronze medallist George Bovell III, Nicholas attends Auburn University where he is a sophomore majoring in Geology. Nicholas specialises in the IM, Backstroke and Freestyle events. Sharntelle McLean is also a sophomore, but at the University of South Carolina majoring in Business. Sharntelle's strokes are the freestyle and butterfly.

37-year old Dexter St. Louis has been the backbone of this country's table tennis history for many years. He most recently qualified for the singles event at the Pan American Games in July 2007. Dexter's step-daughter, Rheann Chung has quickly risen to the top of the heap representing T&T at all major events except the Olympics.