By Neto Baptiste
A total of 19 associations and or federations met the December 2 submission deadline for the 2024 National Sports Awards slated for March 15 next year.
Chairman of the organising committee for the National Sports Awards, Cleofoster Harris, confirmed the numbers, pointing out that there has been an increase in the number of associations making the original deadline from 17 to 19.
“I think that we are still growing strength by strength with the amount of federations and associations submitting their nomination forms on time. I am very pleased that the federations and associations are adhering to our deadline dates even though to me, they can do a little bit better given the fact that they have executive members, they are still coming in at the last minute,” he said.
Four associations, the Antigua and Barbuda Tennis Association (ABTA), the Antigua and Barbuda Amateur Boxing Association (ABABA), the Contract Bridge Association (CBA) and the Antigua and Barbuda Drag Racing Association (ABDRA) were not amongst those meeting the deadline for submissions.
Harris believes that a recent meeting between the Ministry of Sports and the associations would have helped to motivate the heads of the various bodies.
“I think bringing human beings into a space to let them really understand that they are really disenfranchising their athletes and their federations, they should really go out and submit persons that have done the hard work through the year and make the submissions in a timely manner. We are going to come back again to the same federations in a setting where the judges will be there to explain indebt in terms of the whole judging process so they could have a better understanding,” he said.
The official assured that preparations are on track for the hosting of the grand event on March 15 but said a decisions is yet to be made regarding the venue.
“Based on what we have on the table, we’ve placed the order for the regular trophies with the company for the nomination trophies and hopefully, they will be here in January and then we will get the top trophies in afterwards. We’re still looking to see if we’re going to go back to the same venue or if we’re shifting it to what it used to be in terms of a nice sit-down prestigious ceremony,” Harris said.
Fitness athlete, Ambassador Kimberly Percival and kiteboarder Tiger Tyson captured the women’s and men’s senior crowns while sprinters Kasiya Daley and LaNica Locker were named the Junior male and female athletes of the year for 2023.
