Manny Ramjohn

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Manny Ramjohn (November 15, 1915 - January 23, 1998) born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, and educated at Naparima College in San Fernando. A long-distance runner (5000 m and 10000 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:

1939 White City Games, London, England - 1 mile; 3 miles
1946 Central American and Caribbean Games, Barranquilla, Colombia - 5,000 meters (1st, 15:54.8)
1948 Olympics, London, England - 5,000 meters; 10,000 meters (Did not finish)

AWARDS:

1948 - Wood Badge, Scout Association of the United Kingdom
1973 - Medal of Merit, Boy Scouts Association of Trinidad and Tobago
1979 - Silver Ibis Award for meritorious service, Boy Scouts 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 and of the present First Lady Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards wife of President George Maxwell Richards.