Press Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: +1 (784) 457-1366
sosvginc@gmail.com
For the First Time, Special Olympics St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Received Three Nominations at the NSC National Sports Awards
St. Vincent, 20 April 2009 -- Special Olympics St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SOSVG) is pleased to announce that for the first time SOSVG, Inc. was nominated in three categories in the National Sports Council, 2008 National Sports Awards, whose theme for 2008 was “Promoting National Wellness Through Sports.” The award event took place on Saturday 18 April 2009 at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, held under the patronage of the Governor General of St Vincent and the Grenadines; Sir Frederick Ballantyne and which was sponsored by the National Lotteries Authority of St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG.)
SOSVG, Inc. was nominated for the Coach of the Year via Mr. Terrence Davis, who as an athlete competently coached the Floor Hockey team who were supposed to participate at the Special Olympics World Winter Games which recently concluded in Boise, Idaho, USA but unfortunately due to lack of funds the team could not have afforded to partake. Davis also coaches in the discipline of Bocce, he has not only been a coach, but also he was an athlete’s Representative on the Board of Directors of SOSVG, Inc. in the past and currently is a member of the Special Olympics Caribbean, Board of Directors.
Ironic to state is the fact that Davis in his nominated category for Coach of the Year, of the five persons nominated another of the Nominees Mrs. Joan Foster Baynes thou proposed by the SVG Netball Association is in fact a Member of SOSVG, Inc., as she is the Ministry of Sports, Representative on SOSVG Inc. Board of Directors. Thereby encapsulating the fact that two members of SOSVG Inc. were nominated in the same category.
The second high came as a result of the fact that Special Olympics St. Vincent and the Grenadines Incorporated was nominated for the Sports Association of the Year, of which there was only one other nominee which was the SVG Squash Association who went on to cop the title and trophy but left the organization elated as SOSVG, Inc. had no idea of the fact that they were proposed nor had any expectation of being in that category. The Chairman of the Board of Directors of SOSVG, Inc. Mr. Geoffrey Hadaway took to the stage to acknowledge and receive a token for the hard work of the Athletes, Coaches and Board Members of SOSVG, Inc.
Another victory was accomplished and barriers broken as Mr. Adrian Cummings, who is presently the Athlete on the Board of Directors of SOSVG, Inc. was nominated in the category for Senior Sportsman of the Year. His category saw him battle against eight competitors being the likes of Mr. Pamenos Ballantyne, Ace long Distance Runner and many time winner of the Clico Marathon in Trinidad and Tobago and many other marathons, along with Mr. Steve “Capt” Ollivierre. And four other nominees from various other Federations and Association of which Mr. James Bentick of the SVG Squash Assoc. hoisted the trophy in that category.
The audience contained not only four of SOSVG, Inc. athletes but it also contained the General Manager of CWSA of which Mr. Cummings our nominee works and he too received an award for his company’s commitment to sports in SVG. Other members of SOSVG, Inc. in the audience were another of our Coaches; Mr. Ricky Dean Alexander who is an Aquatics coach, along with the Families Coordinator; Ms. Janice McMaster, SOSVG Inc Secretary and Acting National Director: Mr. Anthony McKenzie along with SOSVG Inc. Assistant Board Secretary; Mrs. Dian Khan-Hadaway and the Chairman of the Board Mr. Geoffrey Hadaway.
The icing on the cake was when Mr. Terrence Davis took to the stage to deliver the Appreciation on behalf of all of the athletes as the Representative of the Nominees of which at the end he received a roaring applause.
Special Olympics St Vincent and the Grenadines is extremely pleased and happy and congratulates everyone who was nominated as they are all winners.
About Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an international organization that changes lives by promoting understanding, acceptance and inclusion among people with and without intellectual disabilities. Through year-round sports training and athletic competition and other related programming for nearly 3 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities in more than 180 countries, Special Olympics has created a model community that celebrates people’s diverse gifts. Founded in 1968 by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities continuing opportunities to realize their potential, develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy and friendship. Visit Special Olympics at www.specialolympics.org.