Members of this country’s 22-man National Under 17 Men’s team underwent a full range of medical tests and were all passed fit ahead of their upcoming assignment at the Caribbean Football Union Under 17 Men’s Finals starting at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Friday.
The players, under Russell Latapy’s watch, were present at the HealthNet Clinic at South Coast building in San Fernando last week where they were medically examined, undergoing a full range of diagnostic tests on their heart, lung function, vision and blood tests for metabolic function.
HealthNet CaribbeanCEO Richard Ramrekha stated : “A full report on each player was prepared and will serve as a baseline medical. And each year the same procedures will be carried out so as to monitor and track any changes as they progress into the Under 20 and Senior teams. We are pleased to announce that a proper medical surveillance programme is now in effect for our National Under 17 team.”
Health net is currently engaged in a four-year partnership with the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association to oversee all of its national teams.
Latapy was impressed with the programme, stating the importance something of the nature for the players.
“I was impressed by the way things were handled and the fact that each one of my players were able to get properly checked out is something I think is very important. It gives myself and my staff that assurance that our players are healthy and can take on the rigours of training and representing the country,” Latapy told TTFA Media. “I’m happy that the association has this kind of arrangement in place. I think this is an important aspect of our preparations for all our national teams and I’m looking forward to continuing this kind of process as we move forward.”
Latapy meantime, saw his U-17 team score a late goal to defeat the National Under 20 Men’s Team 2-1 in an 80-minute practice match at the Ato Boldon Stadium on Monday evening in their final warm-up match before the competition kicks off on Friday.
“I was pretty much satisfied with the way the team handled the match. Obviously the Under 20s have been undergoing a certain level of preparation for some time and they have already played in a competition, so it was good to see how our boys managed the game. We still have a few things to work on but generally again I would say that we are getting there and the players have responded very well to the preparations so far,” Latapy said.
T&T faces Haiti from 7:30pm on Friday with Bermuda taking on Jamaica from 5pm. Tickets priced at $30 (adults), $15 (Children) can be purchased at Lotto Locations nationwide from September 19th and at the match venues on game days only for all matches. Kids Under age 5 are free.