Abdul-Raheem Toppin, ten, was voted the Most Skilful Player at the Mohammed Electrical Coach Academy (MECA) 2015 Football Graduation Ceremony held at the Aranguez Sports Club, Club House, Aranguez on Saturday.
The emerging athlete and Standard Four student at the Aranguez Islamia Government School was presented with the Roy Joseph Memorial Trophy. He was said to be active in cricket at school, too, and was enrolled in the T&T Cricket Board’s (TTCB) Grassroot Development Programme in that community.
In football, Toppin was reputed to be the most attractive player of the field, possessing the requisite knowledge to apply good technique and strategy when necessary, which ensured he almost always had good control of the ball, allowing him the opportunity to deliver the game with style.
Meanwhile, Rajeev Gopeesingh took home the Randolph Bally Memorial Trophy, being adjudged the player with an Outstanding Personality, while Jaiden Beharry, 17, was bestowed with the MECA Spirit Awards for long and dedicated participation. Beharry joined the academy back in 2003 at age five. Twelve years on, the sixth form student prepares to take his knowledge and skill to the next level.
It was another signature occasion in the life of the Academy, which had its first in-take of potential athletes back in 1993. Like most organisations of this type, cricket was the mainstay, but eventually football secured its place.
President of the T&T Football Association (TTFA) David John Williams, who attended the ceremony and delivered the feature address, lauded the efficiency of the academy, but lamented that the success had by MECA may not be the same for other sports development outfits of its kind across the country.
It was for that reason he moved to clarify his mandatory policy decision that would bring all football academies under the ambit of the TTFA.
John-Williams said, “We are just making it better. We have a handle on all youth activity that is going on in football and ensuring that all academies are properly. Part of my road map is that all academies and coaching schools must be registered.”
Honour roll
Outstanding Players:
Malachi Andrews (Team A)
Aamir Dattoo (Team B)
Maleek Lewis (Team C)
Felix Samuel (Team D)
MECA Ideals Awards:
Arjuna Seedial (Malick All Stars Tassa Drummers Trophy)
Avi Ramberath (Christophe Persad Award)
Roy Joseph Memorial Trophy (Most Skilful Player)
Abdul-Raheem Toppin
Randolph Bally Memorial (Outstanding Personality)
Rajeev Gopeesingh
MECA Spirit Award
(Long and Dedicated Service)
Jaiden Beharry
Most Valuable Players:
J’lani Cornwall
Rizwaan Mohammed
Josiah Wells
Sanjeev Rampersad
Most Dependable Players:
Avi Ramberath
Zakiyah Harrilal
Trivek Rambally
Aamir Ali
Most Promising Player
Khaleem Shamshudeen
Malachi Andrews
Mikaeel Ali
Maleek Lewis
Aaron Weekes