Sprinter Lead Bertrand, who won a silver medal at the North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Under-18, Under-20 and Under-23 Championships in San Jose, Costa Rica in July became the first recipient of the National Association of Athletics Administration of Trinidad and Tobago (NAAATT) Athlete Welfare Fund which was launched on Wednesday.

Bertrand, who did not manage to get past the semifinal round of the women's 100-metre event at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya in August was assisted with airfare to return to Ohio State University where she's on a full scholarship.

A release from NAAATT yesterday stated: " NAAATT launched its Athletes Welfare fund with an initial injection of $10,000.00 from current President George Comissiong, followed by contributions of $5,000.00 each from former President Ephraim Serrette and newly elected board member, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and founder of LUHU Inc., Zwede Hewitt. The Athletes Welfare Fund is intended to provide short-term, emergency type funding to deserving athletes. Almost simultaneous with the Launch was the presentation of an airline ticket to Leah Bertrand, undoubtedly the country's highest-performing female athlete in the Under 20 Category for 2021. Leah also competed in the Women's Open Category and has been unbeaten over 100m locally for the year. She has a personal best (PB) of 11.52."

The release continued: "She represented Trinidad and Tobago at the NACAC U18, U20 and U23 Championships held between July 09 and 11, in Costa Rica, where she won a silver medal in the 100m in a time of 11:70. She later competed at the World Athletics U20 Championships held between August 17 and 22 in Nairobi, Kenya where she placed fourth in the second round of the 100m. She is one of only two (2) local-based junior athletes to represent our country in 2021; the other being Shakeem McKay. Leah has won a full scholarship from Ohio State University and would be pursuing a degree in Health Sciences, hoping to pursue further studies in Medicine afterwards."

The NAAATT is asking that persons wishing to contribute to the Athletes Welfare Fund may do so by making cheques payable to NAAA or by direct deposit to the Association's Account 420505571201 at Republic Bank