ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, June 13, 2010 - Minister of Sports and Youth Empowerment, Patrick Simmons, has sent congratulations to Kirani James and other Grenadian track and field athletes and officials who have excelled during the past week.
The Minister, who has been following the progress of these athletes this season, says the future looks encouraging for the sport in Grenada.
In a message to athletes, Minister Simmons said that, “I am absolutely proud of your accomplishments and your efforts are now paying off.”
“You have done well to earn recognition as among the leading performers in your various events,” he added.
“We are putting systems in place to ensure that your achievements are recognised,” he said making reference to the National Sports Policy which is expected to go before Parliament this year.
Kirani James (University of Alabama) won the NCAA Men 400m final on Friday in a time of 45.05 seconds to become the third Grenadian athlete to win a major United States Collegiate 400m championship. Rondell Batholomew (South Plains College) won the 2010 NJCAA Outdoor 400m Championship and Alleyne Francique (Louisiana State University) won the NCAA Indoor 400m Championship in 2002.
James is among four Grenadian athletes participating in the NCAA Outdoor Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Phylicia George (University of Connecticut) in the women 4x100m relay; Joel Phillip (Arizona State University) in the men 4x400m relay and Kurt Felix (Boise State University) in the 10-event Decathlon.
Felix finished 13th overall with a score of 7,275 points where he won the high jump (2.11m) and javelin (63.00m) and third in the long jump (7.27m).
Three other Grenadian athletes were outstanding in the 2010 NJCAA Outdoor Championship. Colleen Felix (South Plains College) won the women javelin and triple events; Janelle Redhead (South Plains College) won gold with the 4x100m and 4x400m relay teams and finished third in the 100m and second in the 200m and Kanika Beckles (Essex County College) was second in the women 400m.
The Minister was also high in praise for Francique, a former Olympian, two-time world indoor champion and Commonwealth Games medallist, who is an assistant coach at the number one ranked Texas A&M University which retained its dual national championships.
Texas A&M repeats as national champions in track and field, winning men's and women's NCAA Outdoor Championships.
Minister Simmons also recognised the recent performances of two professional athletes - Neisha Bernard-Thomas in the 800m and Randy Lewis in the triple jump. The two athletes are currently world ranked in their respective events with Bernard-Thomas clocking a personal best and new national record of 1:59.60 in Kingston, Jamaica on May 1 while Lewis has had his best effort of the season so far at 17.08m in Montreuil-sous-Bois, France on June 8.
Lewis recorded 16.76m to finish fifth at the adidas Diamond League Grand Prix in New York on Saturday.
The Sports Minister said that Government, through the Ministry and working along with the Grenada Olympic Committee, the Grenada Athletics Association and other local federations, will continue to provide the necessary assistance and support for our sportsmen and women.
The Minister also extended best wishes to the National Under-23 netball team participating in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Championships in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
The netballers won their opening match against Dominica on Saturday 56-40 and will play Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday.
Cricketer Nelon Pascal, who made his Test debut for the West Indies against South Africa on Thursday, was also singled out in the Minister’s comments. The right-arm fast bowler became the fourth Grenadian cricketer to play Test cricket when he opened the bowling for West Indies in the rain-affected match in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
“All of Grenada is proud of your accomplishments,” Mr. Simmons said.
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