Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey on Saturday hosted a special reception for all Grand Bahama athletes who competed in the CARIFTA Track and Field championships in Nassau, and the CARIFTA Aquatics Championships in Curacao, at the Grand Lucayan resort as a gesture of appreciation from the Government of The Bahamas, for their achievements.
Twelve swimmers from Grand Bahama joined other swimmers from Nassau and other Bahamian islands to compete in the Aquatics CARIFTA championships and return home with 37 gold, 27 silver and 21 bronze medals and finish the Meet with 1,113 points to clinch their fifth consecutive championship title. The first Caribbean nation to accomplish such a feat.
The track and field athletes from Grand Bahama joined other athletes from throughout the Bahamas in Nassau for the CARIFTA track and field championships, where the Bahamas finished in second place with 10 gold, 13 silver and 23 bronze medals.
“As the Minister for Grand Bahama, I am very proud to stand here tonight and congratulate our champions on their incredible success at the CARIFTA Aquatics championships and the success at the CARIFTA track and field championships,” Minister Moxey told the athletes who, along with parents, guardians and coaches who had gathered for the reception.
“I am so very proud of our Grand Bahama athletes.”
Minister Moxey, aware that such accomplishments was truly a team effort, thanked the parents for the sacrifices they made in helping their kids prepare to compete.
The Minister also thanked the coaches from both teams for their time, commitment, dedication and sacrifices they have made to prepare the athletes for the CARIFTA championships, which included athletes from 15 Caribbean nations. She said The Bahamas owes the coaches a debt of gratitude for their tireless efforts in training, guiding and mentoring the young athletes.
“You have played an invaluable role in shaping their character, instilling discipline and nurturing their talents. Without your selfless dedication and commitment our athletes would not have been able to reach these heights of success.”
Minister Moxey’s appreciation went beyond just words of gratitude to announce that the Ministry for Grand Bahama has offered to pay for a month of gym training at the YMCA, for all of Grand Bahama CARIFTA athletes.
That announcement brought loud applause from the athletes, coaches and parents attending the event.
By ANDREW COAKLEY/Bahamas Information Services
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