Caribbean Sports Network

BRITISH taekwondo prodigy Amin Badr has reiterated his desire to compete for Trinidad and Tobago, in the near future. The 15-year-old initially made his intention known during a Newsday article on March 17 2008 and, as he is here in Trinidad on vacation, stressed that he will like to don the national colours of red, white and black.

The son of a Trinidadian mother and Moroccan father (his father introduced him to the sport at the age of six) was victorious in two British Championships – he won the minus 40 kilogramme class in the 2005-2006 event and the -45 kilogramme division at the 2007-2008 tournament.

“Since the last time we spoken, I’ve medalled in every international tournament that I’ve been into and I went to the European Championships and (came) third,” said the soft-spoken Badr.

That European Championships took place in May 2009 in Croatia, and he competed in the -49 kilogramme category for the Great Britain cadet team.

His success continued after the 2009 European Championships, as he emerged victorious in a number of British tournaments, while he finished as the runner-up at a British international contest.

“I moved to the British junior team and I was one of the best flyweights in the team,” he said. “After a couple tournaments with the team, I didn’t like the atmosphere and how the team was acting because there was no teamwork in the camp. I did not enjoy it as I was supposed to.”

Regarding the mood in the team, he stated: “It was basically favouritism. I spoke to my coach and he said the best thing to do is leave the team.”

Currently, he pointed out that, “my plan is to try to make it to the Trinidadian team because the British team is not as strong as they were supposed to be. I hope in trying to fight for the Trinidad team, they will be much better. While here in Trinidad, Badr’s uncle Anthony Clement has held discussions with a few local coaches (whom Badr trained with in 2008) to try to assess Badr’s talent level, compared to the top local taekwondo participants.

Also, the teenager is recovering from a right shoulder injury, hence he is focusing on gymnastics and individual training, to regain full fitness.

Upon his return to England this weekend (September 5), Badr noted: “In six weeks’ time, I have a British international which will be held in Manchester where all different countries will come in to fight.

“And then I’ll be travelling to Germany hopefully, at the end of the year,” he continued. “I haven’t decided yet what my plans are going to be.” But Badr hopes to feature at the Junior World Championships in 2011.

And his uncle Clement, stated that he’ll try to meet with Sports Minister Anil Roberts to get further insight into Badr’s switch of allegiance to Trinidad and Tobago, especially at international level.