BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MINISTER of Education and Sports the Hon. Shawn Richards, has implored female athletes to become more involved in representing St. Kitts and Nevis on the international scene.
That call was made over the weekend at the TDC Inter-High School competition, where he reminded students and parents that the Federation’s team to the 2016 Olympic Games did not have a strong enough female presence.
To be exact, St. Kitts and Nevis was represented by lone female athlete, Tameka Williams.
Richards, who attended the Games in Brazil, implored the students to work hard and be ambassadors of their sport.
“St. Kitts-Nevis had a team comprising of at least seven to eight persons and only one female was amongst the team. I say that to say to you, that the next Olympics would be held in 2020 and I am personally hoping that at the 2020 Olympics, not only will we see more athletes representing St. Kitts and Nevis, but we would also see more females.”
Further, the Minister noted that St. Kitts-Nevis only participated in the track events and as such, he would want to see athletes also competing in the field disciplines.
“I would want to see athletes participating in more than just track events at the 2020 Olympics.”
Richards, who is also the Deputy Prime Minister, told the students that they are the future of athletics and as such, “the Government would continue to invest in you”.
“You have millions of dollars invested in this facility (Kim Collins Athletics Stadium), you have TDC which you heard has been sponsoring this event for the last 40 years.”
He congratulated the sponsors, noting that they are investing in the youths of the Federation, pointing specifically to the scholarship programme that many of the high school athletes are beneficiaries of.
The Minister noted that athletes can have the support of the coaches, teachers and their parents but it is the student themselves who have to work hard to make it to the Olympic Games.
