“August 25th Kim Collins Day should be celebrated and seen by all citizens and residents of this country as an opportunity to honor and pay homage to a living legend,” said People’s Action Movement Leader Lindsay Grant.
BASSETERRE, t. Kitts, August 24, 2010 (PAM Secretariat) - People’s Action Movement Leader Lindsay Grant is encouraging St.Kitts-Nevis citizens, residents and nationals in the diaspora to celebrate the accomplishments of world-class sprinter and National Sports hero Kim Anderson Collins.
The St.Kitts –Nevis main opposition party leader made the call against the backdrop of August 25 which is annually observed as Kim Collins Day.
“August 25th Kim Collins Day should be celebrated and seen by all citizens and residents of this country as an opportunity to honor and pay homage to a living legend,” said People’s Action Movement Leader Lindsay Grant.
“I will never forget how I felt when the announcer declared Kim Collins’ victory at the World Championships in Paris some 7 years ago. I know that every Kittitian, Nevisian and West Indian all over the world also cherished that moment in Caribbean sports history,” Grant continued
Collins retired from International Athletics in September last year. However he has continued to make appearances and participate in select meets in Europe and Asia where he has continued to perform exceptionally well.
The People’s Action Movement Leader used the opportunity to congratulate the 2003 World Champions sprinter for his recent achievements, which including top place finishes in a number of European meets.
Grant lamented “It was with a tinge of sadness that I listened just last year when Kim announced his retirement from international athletics. As I listened to this humble professional, family man and Sport Ambassador get emotional about his work over the last seventeen (17) years, I could not help thinking that there spoke a role model for our youth and elders alike.”
Grant also called on the government to properly and appropriately recognize the day.
“I am implore the government to encourage and facilitate an appropriate celebration or form of recognition of Kim and his day,” Grant lamented.
“I wish Kim the very best in his future endeavours and look forward to his continued contribution to the development of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Grant continued.
“On behalf of the People’s Action Movement, I say congratulations and well done to Kim Collins and all the other potential little Kim Collins in our society. Kim is an excellent role model to all of our children and on August 25th when we celebrate Kim Collins day I encourage all youths to remember the accomplishments of Kim and celebrate his day for a young positive individual who has made his mark on the world stage and boasts a career un-matched by very few if any other athlete in the Caribbean,” Grant said.
August 25th was declared Kim Collins day in 2004 one year after he stunned the world with a blistering victory in the World Championships in Paris, France.
