International Women’s Day will now have an extra special meaning for several females across the island.
That’s because as part of their plans to highlight the efforts of female athletes, the Barbados Olympic Association’s (BOA) Women and Sports Committee rewarded them for their outstanding performances and contributions during an event hosted on the BOA’s Wildey, St Michael, grounds on Thursday afternoon.
Held under the theme Connecting Girls, Inspiring Future Through Sport, the competitors, chosen from almost every sporting discipline, were encouraged to continue in their sporting endeavors, as the skills acquired would greatly assist them to live a well-balanced and healthy life.
MC Alex Jordan, who has represented Barbados in squash and swimming, told the gathering that being successful in sports paved the way for a successful career, even if it was not sports-related.
Also on hand to give the young, aspiring athletes some advice were basketballers Natalie Hunte and Astrid Alleyne.
Hunte, who gained a basketball scholarship to Texas, as well as to Kansas and Connecticut, said that through sports she had gotten the opportunity to gain both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, as well as travel the world.
“It is my strong belief that while lessons can be learnt from other organised activities during youth, absolutely nothing trains women better for business and the real world like athletics,” she maintained.
Alleyne, who plays for Station Hill Cavaliers and who also received a scholarship through basketball, urged the young athletes never to give up, as nothing ever came easy.
Exhibition
“Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything. Once you put your mind to do something, it can be achieved. The sky is your limit,” she told the appreciative audience.
The day’s activities also included an exhibition from members of the Barbados Amateur Gymnastic Association, the Barbados Cheerleading Association and the Zumbunnies.
Among the athletes chosen for honours were Barbados and West Indies cricketers Shakera Selman and Deandra Dottin; footballer Soraya Toppin-Herbert; swimmers Zabrina Holder, Sariyah Sherry, Kimberley Willoughby and Hannah Gill; volleyballers Janina Mayers and Adrianne Bynoe, and hockey players Cher King and Dione Clarke.
List
The list also included basketballers Shannon Green and Jalicia Thorington; lawn tennis players Melena Lopez and Kiana Marshall; dressage competitors Erin Stephany and Heather?Walker; gymnasts Latoya Ince and Taylor Clarke; netballers Rhe-ann Niles and Michelle Lorde; athletes Shakera Reece and Akela Jones; surfers Chelsea Tuach and Chelsea Roett; table tennis players Sherrice Felix and Anthonette Riley; badminton players Monyata Riviera and Amanda Yearwood; squash player Cheri-Ann Parris; weightlifter Danielle Callender; judoka Onoh Obasi Okey and boxer Kimberley Gittens. (KB)
