THE MINISTRY of Sport and Youth Affairs yesterday launched National Youth Month with a promise of national youth consultations across the country. The launch coincided with the United Nations' declaration of International Year of Youth beginning Aug 12.

"Today is a celebration of young people's energy," said Stacy Roopnarine, parliamentary secretary in the ministry in her feature address.

She said the ministry also hoped the consultations would "create an avenue for young people to voice concerns."

Roopnarine also mentioned some of the projects that her team had planned for the year, including a Youth Environment Day and Youth Inter-faith Day.

What the event lacked in terms of numbers — especially young people — it made up for with entertainment, gospel/reggae artiste Positive starting the show, followed by the Alternative Quartet who performed a set that included one of their original compositions.

Spoken-word poet Keegan Maharaj then took the stage and gave an energetic performance, with 2010 Calypso Queen Kizzie Ruiz performing a rendition of "Portrait of Trinidad"  afterward.

One of the major highlights of the evening was the awards ceremony. A total of 18 young people were awarded for academic excellence, bravery and sporting achievement.

Following her presentation were 2010 Junior Calypso Monarch Aaron Duncan and the all-female dance crew Kromatiq  in a six-minute performance loaded with skill and attitude.

The launch also featured performances by Karma, JW and Blaze and a solo by Kees Dieffenthaller which included his uplifting hit "Lion", and the crowd favorite "Loving You".

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