Hillsborough Recreational Ground, Carriacou – The Ribena sponsored Inter-Primary Athletics Championship hosted by the G.U.T. Carriacou & Petite Martinique branch finally got underway last Tuesday at the Hillsborough Recreational Ground, after previously forced to reschedule due to rain. The delay of the start of the competition did nothing to dampen spirits of the athletes from the five participating schools, but rather maybe served as a further moment allowing the athletes to settle, transforming anxiety into impatient readiness. Ultimately, Hillsborough Government School emerged as overall Champions at this year’s competition. They outpaced Dover Government School (Last year’s winner), L’esterre RC School, Harvey Vale Government School, and Mt. Pleasant Government School respectively, with their athletes Kellisha Samerson, Jenille Emmons, Isaiah Simon, Kina Thomas, taking four of the coveted Divisional Champions Trophies with the titles Under 13 Girls, Under 11 Girls and Boys, and Under 9 Girls, respectively. This year’s competition both marks Ribena’s second consecutive support of the G.U.T. (Carriacou & Petite Martinique Branch), and simultaneously 8th consecutive year of sponsorship for the G.U.T. (St. George’s Branch) Championship.
In his remarks about Ribena’s support, Mr. Kerwin Noel, Chairman of the Sports Committee, expressed the enthusiasm shared by all on the Organizing Committee and its eagerness to respond to the influx of support by taking advantage of the opportunity to organize increasingly professional competitions, with more events, adherence to International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) regulations, and capitalizing on the increased coverage of Competition to further the aspirations harbored by the committee for the development of athleticism among youngsters. He commented that Ribena’s commitment goes beyond the numerical value of the financial donation, its true weight measured through the lives of the athletes who participate and find purpose in something they can cherish and call their own – their future. He is happy to see the successful outcome of the partnership, and looks forward to make more space for more Ribena flags, because as he put it, -“When you have something this good, you have to show people.” Ribena’s endorsement of the Competition included medals and trophies and refreshments for the Officials.
Speaking at the Opening Ceremony on behalf of Ribena and its local distributor, Huggins Pharmaceuticals Division, Mr. Anthony Grandy, Marketing Assistant, Huggins Corporate Marketing, commended the diligent efforts of the Sports Committee to organize this year’s competition with the participation of more schools and as a result more athletes. He acknowledge this year’s Championship will build on the strong foundation of last year’s success, the desired outcome Ribena intends to accomplish through sponsoring events which support the development of the nation’s youth. In closing, He urged the athletes to strive for excellence, and reminded the spectators regardless of placement, all athletes should be celebrated with love and admiration, for they are all champions, preparing us for a better future through their achievements.
Other highlights of the day’s events came from Under 13 Boys Champion Trevon Noel of Mt. Pleasant Government School, Under 9 Girls Champion Kirsonna Botswain of L’esterre RC School, and Under 9 Boys Champion Vijay Stafford of Dover Government School. At the end of the day the merit of the contributions from Ribena, a community-conscious brand, partnered with organizations like G.U.T (Carriacou & Petite Martinique Branch), who together rally around the nation’s youth and their development, lies in its enrichment of the lives of the Nation’s children , a prize we can all share and proudly appreciate..
