Jalen Purcell is pleading with the relevant authorities to facilitate student-athletes who need to travel to the United States ahead of the upcoming semester. Purcell is on an athletic scholarship at New Mexico Junior College, and is expected to be at the school next week.

“I am required to be there on the 30th of July,” Purcell told the Express, “so we can get time to quarantine and actually get back accustomed to the atmosphere.”

Trinidad and Tobago’s borders are closed as a result of the Covid-19 global pandemic, forcing Purcell and other students to stay at home.

“I am trying my best to get back to school, and nothing’s working. There are a lot of us trying, over 140 athletes, including Shikyla Walcott, Onil Mitchell, Kashief King, Kadesha Prescott, Che Lara, Asha James, and a lot more. We have a group on WhatsApp with students and doctors who need to be back in school and back on their frontline jobs.

“I’ve tried all things possible. I called the Ministry of National Security. They said all they are doing is giving you the exemption to leave but we got to organise our own flight, which is very hard to do. They should have the urge to deal with things better, especially in a time like this. We’ve tried a lot. We email, we call in, and we keep getting the same response.”

Purcell said the group of student-athletes also made contact with Caribbean Airlines (CAL).

“But they said they’re waiting for response from the government to give them permission, which the government isn’t doing. We even tried to charter a private flight, but everything has just failed on us.”

Purcell returned home from New Mexico on March 22, the day before T&T’s borders were closed.

“My training wasn’t what I expected since I got back home, but I understand because of the situation that is happening in the world at the moment. While home, I have focused a lot more on the weak areas of my body by doing a lot of indoor circuits. With restrictions now lifted, I’m now able to use the facilities such as the stadium and gym, so my training is actually coming along pretty okay.”

Purcell is among five T&T athletes on scholarship at New Mexico Junior College. The Simplex Athletic Club sprinter said he enjoys being on the same school team as compatriots Ayla Stanisclaus, Tyrell Edwards, Onil Mitchell and Aaron Brewster.

“It’s fun to have a lot of my teammates around me. The training sessions are always enjoyable.”

Overall, Purcell is pleased with the New Mexico experience.

“The facilities are at my use any time of the day.”

Purcell will complete his studies at New Mexico Junior College next year.

“I’ll be transferring in September 2021. I hope to go to a good Division 1 school, somewhere like University of Houston, Florida State University, Texas Tech University, but I am looking forward to my upcoming season to actually decide on a school.

“My 2020 actually started off pretty good,” the 21-year-old Claxton Bay resident continued. “I was enjoying my season and my progress. I actually put in a lot of work during my pre-season so I was really excited for 2020. Unfortunately, the virus got the better of the world.”

Purcell, who captured bronze at the 2018 North American, Central American and Caribbean (NACAC) Championships as part of the T&T men’s 4×100 metres team, is keen to represent the Red, White and Black in 2021. “My goal for 2021 is actually the same as 2020, which is to compete in the Olympics. That’s every athlete’s goal.”