Two take away top awards

It was the Olympians Akela Jones and Michael Maskell who walked away with top honours on Friday night when the Barbados Hilton played host to the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) Inc and FLOW 2016 Awards Ceremony. The pair, who represented the island in Track and Field and Skeet Shooting, respectively, at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janiero, were named the Senior Female and Male Athletes of the Year.

 

In a night that saw Governor General of Barbados His Excellency Sir Elliot Belgrave and Olympic icon Carl Lewis as the guests of honour, several local sportspersons and contributors to the Olympic Movement were celebrated during the glitzy event. From outstanding junior athletes, to former athletes who found glory at the Central American and Caribbean Games and Commonwealth Games close to 50 years ago, and everyone in between, the BOA left no one out.

 

With FLOW playing a major part in the island’s most recent Olympic innovations, President of the BOA Steve Stoute highlighted the importance of the partnership between the National Olympic Committee and the telecommunications giant. “As I have echoed many times, our agreement with FLOW is probably the best marketing arrangement this organisation has enjoyed with a private sector entity in Barbados and we look forward to continuing out close relationship with your company as we toil to enhance the minds and bodies of our young people. Yet again I make a plea to other private sector entities to follow FLOW’s example,” Stoute said.

 

Going on to speak of the achievements made this year by his association, Stoute also noted that there were several ongoing projects that saw the island making a name for itself. “Apart from annual sports competitions, our Olympic Academy increased its activities in coaching, sports management and anti-substance abuse programmes. We are one of the few National Olympic Committees in the region to be conducting the IOC’s Advanced Administrative Course and we have signed an agreement with the Coaching Association of Canada who have had a number of sessions with a view to enhancing the coaching plant in this country,” he said.

 

Also in attendance was Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at FLOW, Marilyn Sealy and during her address she brought attention to the BOA’s work over the years to bring sport to the level that it has enjoyed in recent times. “I wish to acknowledge the sterling efforts of the Barbados Olympic Association in promoting the Olympic Values of Friendship, Excellence Respect and Fair Play. The fact is that BOA continues to administer sport at the highest professional level and it continues to be a beacon for sporting excellence in the Caribbean and I dare say it is a direct result of the BOA’s efforts throughout the years that thousands of Barbadians have been given the opportunity to enhance their sporting skills and they have also been equipped with invaluable life experiences as they represent our country around the world - this is truly a gift that keeps on giving,” she said.

 

With awards presented across every field of play, inclusive of Badminton, Surfing, Equestrian, Swimming and Rugby, the administrators were also among the awardees of the night. Special mention was made of National Sports Council Deputy Director Neil Murrell. He was presented with his certificate for the Executive Masters in Sports Organisation Management which he received with distinction.   

 

 

Outstanding Junior Athletes: Sada Williams – Athletics, Shae Martin – Badminton, Amanda Haywood – Badminton and Squash, Che Allan – Surfing

 

Junior Female Athlete of the Year: Meagan Best – Squash

 

Junior Male Athlete of the Year: Alex Sobers – Swimming

 

Independence Games Awards 2016 Champions

Best Overall Sport – Judo

Most Improved Sport – Weightlifting

Outstanding Junior Athlete: Amanda Haywood – Badminton and Squash

Special Mention: Rebecca Williams – Wrestling

2016 Champion Swimming (Female) Ashley Weekes

2016 Champion Swimming (Male) Nkosi Dunwoody

2016 Champion Rugby (Female) Danielle Phillips

2016 Champion Rugby (Male) Sean Ward

 

Special Recognition for Athletes Celebrating 50 years of CAC Glory

Patsy Callender, Frieda Nicholls, Avelyn Babb, Aldeen Holder, Bill Hoad, Richard Hoad

 

Special Recognition for Athletes Celebrating 50 years of CAC and Commonwealth Games Glory

Anton Norris

 

Special Individual Recognition

Chelsea Tuach – Surfing, Roberta Foster – Equestrian, Darian King – Tennis, Edwin Sutherland – Cycling

 

Senior Female Athlete of the Year: Akela Jones – Athletics

 

Senior Male Athlete of the Year: Michael Maskell – Skeet Shooting