Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
March 20, 2008 (SKNIS)
The inauguration of the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium will allow track and field in St. Kitts and Nevis to sprint to a higher level.
This was declared by President of the St. Kitts and Nevis Amateur Athletic Association (SKNAAA) Raphael Jenkins during the official opening ceremony on Wednesday. The Class 2 stadium is the home of the 37th Annual CARIFTA Games being held in St. Kitts on the Easter Weekend. President Jenkins praised the Minister of State of State for Sports, Honourable Richard Skerritt and the Government for fulfilling its pledge to provide a world-class home for track and field.
The facility was chiefly financed by the Republic of China (Taiwan). The Asian country’s outgoing Ambassador His Excellency John Liu told the large crowd attending the ceremony, that the stadium is a “gift to you, the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis and is testimony [that] the friendship [between the two countries] is solid and long lasting.” He said: “Taiwan is pleased to be a partner in the progress of your country’s national development over the past 24 years.”
Minister of Public Utilities Honourable Dr. Earl Asim Martin applauded Taiwan for its steadfast support in useful and worthwhile projects. He also applauded Rock and Dirt as well as Raymore and Associates for completing what is normally an 18 month project in about half that time. Minister Martin stressed that the quality finish of the track is testament to the great skill of the local construction workforce.
Noting the tremendous successes enjoyed when various stakeholders work together, Minister Martin quoted lines from a song of the late Reggae legend Robert Nestor Marley and declared that: “We cannot live in a negative way. Make way for the positive day. It’s a new day, it’s a new time, and it’s a new feeling for the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.”
“The completion of this stadium is yet another tangible demonstration of what our small nation can achieve when we work collectively,” added Minister Martin, who represents Constituency #1 in the National Assembly. “This stadium is yet another instance when I have delivered as the Parliamentary Representative for the area. My capacity to deliver quality benefits to the residents of East Basseterre is unparalleled “¦ and I remind my constituents that the best is yet to come.”
Minister Martin also noted that the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium is symbolic of what government was aiming to achieve; as it combines excellence in quality facilities that can be accessed by community members. He thanked his constituents for their support and understanding during the stadium’s construction and upcoming hosting of the CARIFTA Games.