The Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee and Commonwealth Games Association (ABNOC-CGA) held its first Appreciation Dinner to honour the outstanding performances of the country’s athletes at major regional and international competitions to which ABNOC-CGA sends contingents.
The primary focus was 2022, with a throwback to the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Held on Saturday, 18th February, at the Sandals Grande Resort, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation for the evening’s celebrations.
There was a meet-and-greet period with the official program commencing with the arrival of the country’s Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Rodney Williams.
Annia Matthew’s beautiful rendition of the national anthem of Antigua and Barbuda was followed by welcome remarks by the Master of Ceremonies, Charles ‘Chucky’ Bellot, highlighting the nation’s athletes’ hard work, dedication, and sacrifices to achieve their goals. Bellot and his beautiful Co-Host Melissa Cochrane kept the programme wheels turning and the gathering entertained throughout the proceedings.
ABNOC-CGA President, Hon E.P. Chet Greene, congratulated the athletes, expressed the nation’s profound pride in their achievements and encouraged them to continue to strive onwards and upwards. President Greene pledged the support of the ABNOC-CGA to the Ministry of Sport in hosting the annual National Sports Awards and its continued support to improving the sporting pedigree of Antigua and Barbuda.
A dynamic speaker and longest-serving principal of the Princess Margaret School, Dr Colin Greene, brought the charge.
He congratulated the ABNOC-CGA for its initiative and encouraged the nation’s sporting authorities and other stakeholders to provide athletes with the physical (facilities), financial and emotional support they need to reach the next level.
Dr Greene reminded the athletes that they must first dream of achieving and overcome the unavoidable fear, anger, and anxiety to make their dreams a reality. Athletes must get over themselves, get out of their way, remain humble, avoid distractions, and learn to keep themselves motivated. “You must control your emotions, or your emotions will control you”, he cautioned.
In a society craving for golden moments and achievements, “we must measure progress, not perfection”.
Although not under the patronage of the ABNOC-CGA, stellar performances of athletes at the 2022 CARIFTA Games were recognized:
Alyssa Dyett – Triple Jump – Bronze
Craig Pendagrass – 400m Hurdles – Bronze
These were the first-ever medals won by Antigua and Barbuda in these events in the forty-nine years of the Games.
Antigua and Barbuda enjoyed another first when Dwayne Flemming stunned the traditional giants in the sprints with a riveting U-17 Gold-place finish in the 100m. The last time Antigua won Gold in the sprints was in 2005 when Daniel Bailey outran his competitors and the last time Antigua and Barbuda won Gold at CARIFTA was in 2008 when Kenrica Francis was victorious in the 1500m.
Meanwhile, in the 2022 O.E.C.S. Swimming Championships in the 13-14 Girls
Ellie Shaw brought home Bronze in both the 50m and 100m Breaststroke with Ethan Stubbs-Green copping Gold in the 100m and 200m Butterfly, Silver in the 400m Freestyle and Bronze in the 200m Freestyle in the 13-14 Boys
There were special mentions for the Antigua and Barbuda Netball Association for their third-place finish in the 2022 O.E.C.S. Championship and second-place finishes in the Short and Long Range for the Antigua and Barbuda Rifle Association at the 2022 West Indies Fullbore Shooting Championship.
Team members of the Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Volleyball Association brought glory to the nation with a gutsy comeback against St. Lucia from 1-2 to win the O.E.C.S. Men’s title 3-2, the first time in the history of the championships.
Not to be outdone, the Antigua and Barbuda Swimming Federation were clearly on a mission. They left Antigua determined to bring back the 2022 O.E.C.S. Championship title, which they did, a first in the thirty-year history of the event.
Turning attention to the games to which the ABNOC-CGA sends contingents:
Jadon Wuilliez was awarded for his Outstanding Performance in the inaugural Central American and Caribbean (C.A.C.) Beach Games, where he won Gold in the 50m and 100m Breaststroke. He also created another first for Antigua and Barbuda, making it to the Semi-Finals in the same two events at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Sheldon Noble received an award for his Gold place finish in Long Jump at the 2022 Guadeloupe Caribbean Games, and Darion Skerritt was awarded for his Bronze place in the Men’s 100m at the same event.
Secretary-General of the ABNOC-CGA, Cliff Williams, presented Antigua and Barbuda boxer Alston Ryan with a Merit Award from the Commonwealth Games Federation for his commendable performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Ryan is only the second National to receive such an award, the first being former Prime Minister Sir Lester Bryant Bird (decd).
ABNOC-CGA President, the Hon E.P. Chet Greene, presented the marquee award of the evening. The award went to Kite Surfer Tiger Tyson, the first Antiguan and Barbudan to win a Gold medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games. Tyson sailed past his competitors at the inaugural C.A.C. Sea and Beach Games held in Santa Maria, Colombia.
During the evening, members of the Elite Dance Company treated attendees to scintillating dance moves, and the evening ended with a spirited performance by Laurena Davis & Friends. Guests had the opportunity to mingle, dance, and share stories of their love for sports and the nation’s athletes.
Special thanks to 1st Vice-President Neil Cochrane, Chairman of the Appreciation Dinner Committee. Thanks to committee members Tianna Harris, Bernadette ‘Bernie’ Knight-Roberts, Dionne Isaacs, Fitzroy Quinland and Charles Bellot, and Secretary-General Cliff Williams for a job well done.
The ABNOC-CGA Appreciation Dinner was a resounding success, and it served as a reminder of the power of sports to unite people, inspire them, and bring out their best.
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I’m so glad the ABNOC finally saw it fit to recognize and honor our athletes that go out and train each and every day and work hard to represent our country. Whether or not they are successful on the podium or not. That would be the added trophy. Representation is what counts. But we need to inspire them too always do better. And ABS TV needs to have their cameras more on local events. These athletes sometimes go to represent us, and we do not even know about it. But ABS TV always shows us sport in the USA or Europe. As if that is more important to us. I couldn’t care less about those athletes over there.
Congratulations to ALL!
Sidelines: Why Chet Green does not give up that position on the ABNOC? Cannot afford to give up a paycheck? For the love of money is the root of all evil. I really do not know. Why those ALP Politicians are so in love with money. They have never seen a dollar,and walk away from it.
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