The Nevis Island Administration, took time out to specially salute the efforts of the Nevisian athletes who recently participated and excelled at the recently held 2019 Carifta games, in the Cayman Islands.
It was a brief but very meaningful ceremony, held at the NEPAC courtyard on Thursday 25th April and ably chaired by Director of Sports, Mr. Jamir Claxton.
Well-known local coach, Kurvin Wallace, commenced the proceedings with prayer and then Mr. Claxton in his opening remarks noted that the young athletes had to be celebrated, as they would have accomplished much and referred to them as AMBASSADORS.
An obviously elated Minister of Sports, Hon. Eric Evelyn, also lauded the athletes on the significant achievement of a bronze medal, achieved at the games.
He stated that his Ministry and the NIA, to a greater extent, will continue to invest in sports and in the young people of the island.
He opined that the Mondo track will serve to produce more Olympians.
He indicated that when the request came for funding for the athletes to travel to the Cayman Islands, the answer was YES, from the get go.
Also present and making remarks, was Premier Mark Brantley, who also congratulated the athletes and admonished them never to doubt their abilities and feel that they are less than anybody else.
He noted that ‘nothing brings our people together, as much as when our people succeed.’
He beseeched them to make a dream of his a reality, before he dies: He wants to see someone from St. Kitts and Nevis medal at an Olympic games and he challenged the athletes to make his dream come true.
He noted that his administration has a mandate to ensure that the athletes are exposed to as many regional meets as possible, in order to harness their skills.
Also present were: Hon.Spencer Brand; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Mr. Kevin Barrett, parents and other family members of the athletes.
The athletes present were:
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Alexander Caines, Que’Leel Roberts, Akadianto Willett and K-Marley Newton-Roberts.
Leroy Chapman was the only one not present on the day.
After the ceremony, the athletes posed for photo ops, with the persons present and then all were able to mingle and sample the delicacies available.