Manny Ramjohn
Encyclopedia
Manny Ramjohn was an athlete from Trinidad and Tobago
, born in San Fernando
, and educated at Naparima College
in San Fernando.
A long-distance runner (5,000 m and 10,000 m), Ramjohn was the first to win a gold medal for Trinidad and Tobago
at a major athletics event, the CAC Games in 1946. He was also part of the first group of five athletes to represent Trinidad and Tobago
in the Olympic Games
(1948). Between 1936 and 1951 he achieved 96 victories, 40 second-place and 13 third-place finishes.
Ramjohn joined the Fifth Naparima Scout Troop
in 1930 and in 1937 he was elevated to King Scout and Patrol Leader. In this capacity he was one of 12 representatives from Trinidad and Tobago at the coronation of King George VI
. He remained involved in the Scouting
movement for the remainder of his life. Ramjohn was awarded the Humming Bird Medal
(Silver) for Social Work and Sport by the government of Trinidad and Tobago
. In 2000 the Manny Ramjohn Stadium
, a new football and athletics stadium at Union Park, Marabella
was named in his honour.
Ramjohn's career included the following significant accomplishments:
Manny Ramjohn was the cousin of former President of Trinidad and Tobago Noor Hassanali
and of the present First Lady
Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards
wife of President
George Maxwell Richards
.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
, born in San Fernando
San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
The City of San Fernando with a population of 55,419 according to the 2000 census, is the larger of Trinidad and Tobago's two cities and the second largest municipality after Chaguanas. It occupies 18 km² and is located in the southwestern part of the island of Trinidad...
, and educated at Naparima College
Naparima College
Naparima College is a secondary school for teenaged males in Trinidad and Tobago. Located in San Fernando, the school was founded in 1894, but did not receive official recognition until 1900. The was established by Dr. Kenneth J. Grant, a Canadian Presbyterian missionary working among the Indian...
in San Fernando.
A long-distance runner (5,000 m and 10,000 m), Ramjohn was the first to win a gold medal for Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
at a major athletics event, the CAC Games in 1946. He was also part of the first group of five athletes to represent Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
in the Olympic Games
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
(1948). Between 1936 and 1951 he achieved 96 victories, 40 second-place and 13 third-place finishes.
Ramjohn joined the Fifth Naparima Scout Troop
Troop
A troop is a military unit, originally a small force of cavalry, subordinate to a squadron and headed by the troop leader. In many armies a troop is the equivalent unit to the infantry section or platoon...
in 1930 and in 1937 he was elevated to King Scout and Patrol Leader. In this capacity he was one of 12 representatives from Trinidad and Tobago at the coronation of King George VI
George VI of the United Kingdom
George VI was King of the United Kingdom and the Dominions of the British Commonwealth from 11 December 1936 until his death...
. He remained involved in the Scouting
The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago
The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago is the national Scouting organization of Trinidad and Tobago. Scouting was founded in Trinidad and Tobago in 1911 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1963...
movement for the remainder of his life. Ramjohn was awarded the Humming Bird Medal
National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago
The National Awards of Trinidad and Tobago consist of:* The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago - the country's highest award.* The Chaconia Medal of the Order of the Trinity - in Gold, Silver or Bronze...
(Silver) for Social Work and Sport by the government of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
. In 2000 the Manny Ramjohn Stadium
Manny Ramjohn Stadium
The Manny Ramjohn Stadium, located in Marabella , Trinidad and Tobago, is named for long-distance runner Manny Ramjohn, the first person to win a gold medal for Trinidad and Tobago in a major international sporting event. The stadium was constructed for the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Cup which was...
, a new football and athletics stadium at Union Park, Marabella
Marabella
Marabella is a former town in southern Trinidad, between San Fernando and Pointe-à-Pierre . Originally a separate town, it was incorporated into the City of San Fernando in the 1990s....
was named in his honour.
Ramjohn's career included the following significant accomplishments:
- 1939 White City Games, LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, EnglandEnglandEngland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
- 1 mile; 3 miles - 1946 Central American and Caribbean GamesCentral American and Caribbean GamesThe Central American and Caribbean Games are a multi-sport regional championships event, held quadrennial , typically in the middle year between Summer Olympics...
, BarranquillaBarranquillaBarranquilla is an industrial port city and municipality located in northern Colombia, near the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the Atlántico Department, it is the largest industrial city and port in the Colombian Caribbean region with a population of 1,148,506 as of 2005, which makes it Colombia's...
, ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
- 5,000 meters (1st, 15:54.8) - 1948 Olympics, London, England - 5,000 meters; 10,000 meters (Did not finish)
Awards
- 1948 - Wood BadgeWood BadgeWood Badge is a Scouting leadership program and the related award for adult leaders in the programs of Scout associations throughout the world. Wood Badge courses aim to make Scouters better leaders by teaching advanced leadership skills, and by creating a bond and commitment to the Scout movement...
, The Scout AssociationThe Scout AssociationThe Scout Association is the World Organization of the Scout Movement recognised Scouting association in the United Kingdom. Scouting began in 1907 through the efforts of Robert Baden-Powell. The Scout Association was formed under its previous name, The Boy Scout Association, in 1910 by the grant...
of the United Kingdom - 1973 - Medal of Merit, The Scout Association of Trinidad and TobagoThe Scout Association of Trinidad and TobagoThe Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago is the national Scouting organization of Trinidad and Tobago. Scouting was founded in Trinidad and Tobago in 1911 and became a member of the World Organization of the Scout Movement in 1963...
- 1979 - Silver Ibis Award for meritorious service, The Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago
- 1980 - Silver Platter 50-Year Award, Point-a-Pierre District Scouts Association
- 1982 - Trinidad and Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver for Social Work and Sport
Manny Ramjohn was the cousin of former President of Trinidad and Tobago Noor Hassanali
Noor Hassanali
Noor Mohamed Hassanali,TC was the second President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago . A retired High Court judge, President Hassanali was the first Indo-Trinidadian to hold the office of President and was the first Muslim head of state in the Americas...
and of the present First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards
Jean Ramjohn-Richards
Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards is the First Lady of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and a medical doctor. She was born in San Fernando and was educated at Naparima Girls' High School and Naparima College before attending medical school in Ireland. She is married to President George Maxwell...
wife of President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
George Maxwell Richards
George Maxwell Richards
George Maxwell Richards, TC, CM is the fourth President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. A chemical engineer by training, Richards was Principal of the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad in 1996. He previously worked for Shell Trinidad Ltd. before...
.