BASSETERRE ST. KITTS (August 9, 2010) - After voicing concern that Mansion-Christ Church was the only community in the country without a netball/basketball hard court, the area parliamentary representative Hon. Dr. Timothy Harris has promised that one will be constructed within one year’s time.
President of the Mansion-Christ Church Sports Club, Levi Bradshaw, while making remarks on Sunday August 8 during the official opening of the PetroCaribe James Harris T20 Cricket League at the Mansion Sports Complex informed the parliamentary representative that they were for this first time holding a Community Netball Competition which would be played on grass.
“The club primarily endeavours to provide opportunities for the wholesome development of the members of the community, and we are really pleased for the support of our sponsors,” said Bradshaw. However, with respect to the game of netball, he expressed concern that Mansion/Christ Church was the only community in St. Kitts without a netball/basketball court.
When Dr. Harris, who is also the Senior Minister and Minister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce, Consumer Affairs, Agriculture, Marine Resources, and Constituency Empowerment, took to the podium, he reassured those gathered that his commitment to the development of the constituency remained firm and sincere adding that it is an expanded commitment.
“In that regard, I am happy in the presence of the permanent secretary (Lloyd Lazar of Youth Empowerment and Sports) to make the commitment which we shall deliver on – we shall deliver on the commitment to provide a spanking brand new hard court facility for the people of Mansion and we will have it done by this time next year,” said the Minister.
Five teams, Tabernacle, Back Street, Front Street, Christ Church (defending champions), and Heights, are taking part in the PetroCaribe James Harris T20 Cricket League, while four teams, Stone Deals sponsored Heights, Back Street, Front Street, and Christ Church are taking part in the inaugural Community Netball Competition.
The 2010 cricket league and netball competition have been sponsored by PetroCaribe PDV St. Kitts Nevis Limited, Parliamentary Representative for St. Christopher Seven, the Hon Dr Timothy Harris, the Development Bank of Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Office World – St. Maarten.
“It is an excellent thing that people of the community can come together to showcase what is good and what is well in that community, especially in times like these when we hear so often, about violent activities, deviance and other negatives from our communities,” said Dr Harris. “The people particularly from Mansion and Christ Church are demonstrating for a third year that much good things and positive things are happening here and of that I am truly proud.”
PetroCaribe’s General Manager, Alexander Nikolic, who was accompanied by his Operations Manager, Luis Mendoza, recalled that last year Dr Harris told him that sport was the best way to keep away from trouble and that it was sports that he had for his constituents, which required sponsorship.
“That is true indeed because sports keep the balance in body, mind and spirit,” commented Nikolic. “Body because you train it, mind because you need to be focused in what you are doing, and in spirit because you have the joy of winning or sharing with other people in all what you are doing.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Lloyd Lazar, who represented Minister, Hon Glenn Phillip, said that sponsors of the tournament played a critical role in investing in the community of Mansion and the surrounding areas as cricket brings communities and indeed entire nations together.
In the first cricket match, defending champions Christ Church were shocked by Heights Cricket Club Cricket who beat them by 19 runs. Heights batted first and made 61 runs for the loss of 9 wickets in the allotted 20 overs, while the defending champions were all out for 42 runs in 16 overs.
