BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE only returning to the Federation with one gold medal through the record-breaking performance of Jermaine Francis, St. Kitts and Nevis is proud of the way the athletes represented as Ambassadors at the 2017 CARIFTA Games, according to Minister of Sports Hon. Shawn Richards.
The team, which returned to a hero’s welcome on Tuesday evening (Apr.18), was met in the VIP Lounge at the Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw International Airport by Minister Richards, representatives from the Sports Department, officials of the St. Kitts-Nevis Amateur Athletics Association (SKNAAA) and the media.
In congratulating Francis, Minister Richards, who also holds the portfolio of Deputy Prime Minister, noted that like last year the athlete has made the country proud by repeating a highly commendable performance, adding that by retaining his high jump title, it showed that his win was not “fluking”.
The young athlete retained the title with a new Boys’ Under-20 CARIFTA record, soaring over a height of 2.22m. That height is also a National Junior and Senior record, making him now the second ranked junior athlete in the world and the 19th ranked overall.
According to the SKNAAA, this year’s CARIFTA Games was a historic one for team St. Kitts and Nevis, notably on the back of those achievements and the fact that they had increased the size of the contingent at the premier junior regional meet, and that the athletes had achieved qualifying standard for the World Junior Games.
“I know that last year we would have been here to welcome you back when you did very well having gained gold, and this year you have done it again. So, you have proven that it is not just about going out and fluking, but you are actually the best that we have here when it comes to high jumping in St. Kitts and Nevis,” Richards said.
Minister Richards reminded those athletes who did not place that there are other events on the calendar in which they could compete and aim for similar glory.
“As you continue to prepare for those upcoming events, prepare to do your best. I am quite sure that if you continue to do your best, you too would be able to be victorious in the individual events.”
The Federal Government had contributed a very significant sum of cash in support of the team’s expenses for the games, which the Minister of Sports noted was part of Team Unity’s thrust to develop youths in St. Kitts and Nevis.
President of the National Olympic Committee, Alphonso Bridgewater disclosed that for many years his association has been “badgering” the SKNAAA to have more athletes be represented in field events.
“…Because, in St. Kitts and Nevis it is easy for people to get attracted to the sprints, the 100m or the 200m. I know some of the coaches would be happy that I am saying this, because it almost appears that the field events took second class citizens.”
Against that backdrop, Bridgewater noted that Francis’ success had vindicated the call from the association to have more field athletes on the nation’s teams.
SKNAAA President, Glenn Jeffers disclosed that five athletes have qualified for the Under-18 World Championships to be held in Kenya later this year.
He added that the same five athletes have also qualified for the Junior Commonwealth Games slated for the Bahamas in July.
