Sports should be incorporated on various levels to help save the country’s youth, according to a former deputy prime minister.
Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt threw out the suggestion on Saturday during a special banquet at the Atlantis Crown Ballroom, Paradise Island honouring 40 women for their achievements in sports and nation building.
Mrs. Pratt was one of four special honourees at the event.
The others were Elizabeth Cole, Cora Hepburn and Betty Kenning.
“These are athletes – some former and also professionals – who continue to build this country and we cannot forget that. They’re role models, which we need in today’s Bahamas and we must understand that we are always under the microscope; we have to conduct ourselves accordingly. Respect is earned its not given automatically,” Mrs. Pratt said, speaking on behalf of the honourees.
The former deputy prime minister went on to express hope that the local sports arena rises to another level.
“It’s time for us to spend some serious dollars on developing the energy of our young boys in an organised way, so we can take these little boys and put them in a programme where their energy will be harnessed in a positive way,” she suggested.
“It is my hope that all of us do what we can to cause some child to realise that they too have an opportunity for great things.”
Kimberley Rolle, the first Bahamian to hold the position of Director of Athletics at the College of The Bahamas, said to be honoured was a “humbling experience.”
“When you look at the 40 women who were honoured, it speaks to their achievement in the country,” she told the Bahama Journal.
“When you look at a Betty Cole and a Mother Pratt, they have paved the way for my generation to excel the way we did when we were active in sports, so now it’s time for us to do our part in ensuring the next generation has the same opportunities as well.”
Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, who was honoured for coaching and sports administration, shared similar views.
“When you start playing sports you do it for fun because you enjoy it; then you realize you have a talent. You make national teams and represent The Bahamas and you become part of the country’s sports family and that’s what is important, so to be honoured for that is truly humbling and I’m appreciative the committee considered me.”
The Golden Girls – Eldece Clarke, Pauline Davis-Thompson, Savetheda Fynes, Chandra Sturrup and Debbie Ferguson were also honoured as well as Waltiea Rolle, Arianna Vanderpool-Wallace, Dianne Woodside, Edith Powel, Thora Sweeting, Natasha Brown, Shonel Ferguson and Lavern Eve among many others.
