Sport Ministry launches Girls Run TT challenge

THE #GirlsRunTT Challenge is a key feature of the Ministry of Sport and Community Development's recently restructured Pink Reign Campaign, which seeks to encourage more women and girls to be physically active and increase their involvement and participation in sport.

On Tuesday, a ministry media release said, "In recognition of International Women’s Day 2021 (#IWD2021), the Ministry of Sport and Community Development will enroll and sponsor 120 women and girls to participate in a number of virtual road races covering 70 miles between the months of March and August 2021."

International Women's Day was celebrated on Monday.

The ministry is working with BafaSports Ltd in this initiative, which takes its pattern from the BafaSports’s Magnificent 70-mile Challenge. That challenge takes participants on a virtual journey celebrating the seven historic buildings around the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain. The virtual race is intended to challenge women of various fitness levels to participate in 5K, 10K, half-marathon and other races to improve their physical health and inspire other women to keep moving as we grapple to overcome the current pandemic.

The ministry is also promoting this initiative to pay tribute to the late Granny Luces, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most beloved road runners, who died recently.

The Pink Reign Campaign also includes monthly panel discussions on topics including the need for a cultural shift towards women in sports, sport entrepreneurship, diet and exercise. The project will highlight and celebrate women in sport as well as providing virtual training clinics and workshops.

Interested participants can visit mscd.gov.tt or the ministry's social media pages from March 9-16 to register. Registration ends on March 16 at 4 pm.

Applicants are also asked to say in 25 words or less what they #choosetochallenge in recognition of International Women’s Day 2021. The ministry will announce selected participants by March 30 on its social media accounts.