Basseterre, St. Kitts (March 22, 2004): The fencing and renovation of the new Sandy Point Recreation Ground will greatly aid the development of sport and athletes in the Sandy Point and surrounding communities.
This sentiment was stressed at a recent meeting between officials from the Ministry of Information, Culture, Youth and Sport and representatives from the sporting fraternity.
Minister Henry-Martin, who also serves as the parliamentary representative for the area, explained that the athletes from her district consistently broke national records in facilities that are not the best on island. An improved training ground coupled with a requirement that familiarises young athletes on running the 400 metre (rather than the 250 metre) will help to foster future medal winners, the minister exclaimed.
“That’s good not just for Sandy Point but for the nation,” she said. “Any outstanding record that is set anywhere in the Federation is one that speaks highly of the nation so I am proud about that.”
Sandy Pointers have long been dominant in Track and Field capturing local, regional and international championships. Just recently, two members from the community made headlines when they broke the national 400 metre records. Melvin ‘Mello’ Rogers was the first to do so in Arizona. Earlier this month, he clocked a time of 46.88 seconds in the 400 metre at the 2004 Wildcat Classical beating the previous national time of 46.98 set by Kim Collins. His sterling performance was followed by Tiandra Ponteen who won a silver medal at the NCAA Indoors Championships. Ponteen ran the 400 metre in 51.23 seconds surpassing the best national record set by Diane Dunrod 13 years ago.
Minister Henry-Matin said the duo and all nationals representing the Federation are a testament to the talent and determination of Kittitians and Nevisians. She noted that she is especially pleased to see her constituents achieve success and challenged young persons to strive to recognise their potential much like Rogers and Ponteen.
