Kathy Harper-Hall, widely considered the mother among female sports administrators in Barbados, celebrated her 75th birthday with a service of thanksgiving at the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church last Sunday.
Harper-Hall is a popular figure in sports circles, having served with distinction in varying roles, including president of the Barbados Netball Association, president of the Caribbean Netball Association, secretary of the Amateur Boxing of Association of Barbados and assistant director of the National Sports Council.
A day before her birthday, she was showing her athleticism by competing at the 12th annual National Senior Games at the National Stadium where she won five gold medals and also set a record.
She was visibly in high spirits about the special occasion and said that she felt blessed and thankful for the tributes that were made.
“I feel beautiful and blessed today and also thankful for reaching such a milestone,” she said.
Harper-Hall added that she hopes to run again at next year’s Senior Games.
Among those in the congregation were National Sports Council programme coordinator Adrian Donovan, Athletics Association of Barbados president Catherine Jordan, former president Esther Maynard, and Barbados Netball Association president Nisha Cummings.
Donovan drew attention to Harper-Hall’s all-round athleticism.
“She is someone who would not just stick to one sport. She would branch out to others like boxing and netball,” he said.
Maynard described Harper-Hall as not only a coach or mentor but a friend. She added that Harper-Hall’s never-give-up attitude was an inspiration for all. (CC)
