NATIONAL female footballer and Women’s Premier League (WPL) standout, Akheela Mollon, has called on Trinidad and Tobago to “put down the guns” after escaping a hail of bullets in a shootout between rival gangsters in her hometown of Longdenville on Tuesday night.
The following day however, a still shaken Mollon displayed immense mental strength and laced up her Team Rush boots once more to represent her WPL club, Team Rush.
“Everyday you read about it (crime) in the newspaper,” said Mollon as she cheered on her club-mates at a training session. “Until it really hits home, then you really feel it. My appeal would be to just put the guns down because innocent lives are being taken away from us. People who could continue to impact and continue to add essence to Trinidad and Tobago are losing their lives innocently in things they know nothing about. So I would like to say just put down the guns and let us just try to live in peace and move forward from there and make Trinidad and Tobago a better place.”
Mollon, who is Trinidad and Tobago’s only female footballer to secure a European contract, added that she sometimes relives the incident in her mind. But, the slim figured athlete has opted to let faith be her guide and will not be deterred or put down by these recent happenings to her and her family.
“Coping is a bit hard mentally at times,” she added. “Just thinking of what could have been the outcome. But I’m a person with my faith so I try to keep it positive and know that God kept me for a reason. That’s why I’m out here today cheering on the girls even though I did not partake in the training session. I’m still out here just showing them that I’m alive and kicking and God will continue to use me for the red, white and black.” The former Swedish player also acknowledged the strong support she has received thus far from Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) officials, family, friends and even strangers. According to her, these words of inspiration play an instrumental role in maintaining a clear head and moving forward with a positive mind-set.
She concluded, “It’s (support) been great , especially (from) my teammates. The (WPL) team I play with, Rush, and the National (women’s) team, they all lent their support. I heard from the secretary of the TTFA (Sheldon Phillips), he extended his hand and everybody’s reaching out and I’m grateful for that. I’m really grateful for the fans on Facebook. They all sent their love and my inbox is flooded with messages of encouragement and that has helped motivate and encourage me to keep pressing forward."