media_artricles :: 2015
Youth of the year Machel ‘will bring us Olympic glory’
Anna Ramdass :: Trinidad Express :: 12.02.2015Trinidad Express Youth of the Year 2014 Machel Cedenio will make this country proud and shine at the Olympics in the future, says his father, Hayden Cedenio.
Machel was awarded the title for setting a world record in July 2014 at
the IAAF World Junior (under 20) championships in Oregon, USA, where he clocked the fastest time in the world ran by a junior athlete.
Cedenio is currently
based in Florida, USA, where he is being coached by American Lance Brauman, in preparation for the World Junior meets.
His father accepted the award on his behalf yesterday, during a ceremony at the Marriott hotel, Port of Spain.
In attendance were chief executive officer (CEO) of Caribbean Communications Network (CCN) Shida Bolai, Express editor-in-chief Omatie Lyder and general manager Douglas Wilson.
Cedenio thanked the
management of the Trinidad Express for recognising Machel. He also expressed gratitude to all those who supported and encouraged him to keep excelling in sport, in particular, his mother, Diane.
Cedenio said he knew
from an early age
Machel was going to be a shining star.
He said when Machel
was two years old, he was running around the place saying “Ato”—as former Olympian Ato Boldon was an inspiration to him from an early age.
Cedenio said the joy he felt as a parent cannot be described when Machel broke records.
He said he hopes other organisations would also embrace and recognise the youth and talent of the country.
“All the athletes aspire to medal in the
Olympics. I believe that
very shortly, he would bring some sort of glory to us concerning the Olympics,” said Cedenio.
Diane said she was happy her son was on track to achieving his dreams.
She said Machel is not
a forward person as he was always in the background, but she knew he
would soar to great heights in the field of sport.
“To me, he was always exceptional; he’s always active and I knew he would excel in some sport because he just could not sit down,” she said.
Diane advised parents to take a proactive interest in their children’s lives and encourage
them in whatever field they chose.
She said it is one thing to say children should get involved in sport, but they need to have that support and constant push.
“You just can’t leave them to their own devi-
ces, you have to be
there with them from the early ages, 13, 14,
15; if you don’t stand up with them, they will go astray. If I left Machel alone, he would not continue,” said Diane.
Cedenio said once the youth are given the support and encouragement they need, this will impact on shaping better communities and reducing the crime in the country.
“On evenings, instead of going and liming on the block, go on the track and train, once parents get involved in their child’s life, be it, football, track and field, they will move forward,” said Cedenio.
The proud father said his son being named Trinidad Express Youth of the Year was a memorable milestone.
