Charlestown, Nevis
April 14, 2008
On Wednesday, April 9th, 2008, before one of the largest audiences ever to be found at any one time on the island of Nevis, Premier Joseph Parry expressed his delight at being able to witness what he called ‘one of the most important dates on the calendar of activities for the island of Nevis.’ Premier Parry was giving brief remarks at the Gulf Insurance sponsored Inter Primary School Championships, an event that has been touted as the ‘Nevis Mini Olympics.’
During the opening ceremony Premier Parry remarked that we should use the games as an avenue to bring all Nevisians together. He also made mention of a former Inter Primary athlete, Linton Liburd Jr, who has recently been chosen to participate in the Penn Games in the United States. This is athletic meet, recognised world wide, where outstanding athletes compete each year.
Mr. Parry informed the gathering that Linton Liburd Jr., now an outstanding athlete at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus exhibits the athletic leadership that can be an example to all of us.
The Inter primary sports meet which was organised by the Nevis Amateur Athletics Association and the Department of Education, involved eight Primary schools on the island.
This year’s patron was Kemoy Pemberton, a former star athlete of the Maude Crosse Primary school and one of the most outstanding female athletes in the Gulf Insurance Inter primary school athletic meets of 1996 and 1997. She is currently a teacher at the Lyn Jeffers School.
It was a peaceful event as hundreds of patrons crowded Grove Park to witness the keenly contested events and enjoy the half day holiday which was granted by the Nevis Island Administration.
This year there was a new twist to the event as three young ladies wore National dress when delivering the medals to the athletes during the awards ceremony. Commentator Halstead “Sooty” Byron declared that the dress is in commemoration of the 25th Independence celebrations for which the island is now preparing, with a number of upcoming activities leading to the grand day on September 19th 2008.
At the end of the highly anticipated meet, Charlestown Primary emerged as champions, with 43 medals, Gingerland 35, St.Thomas took 24, Ivor Walters 18, St. John’s 16, St.James 13, VOJN 7 and Maude Crosse Primary school 6.
Reneika Daniel of Charlestown Primary school was declared overall female champion with 26 points, while her male counterpart was Steffon Collison of St. John’s, who received 18 points.