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Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, (centre), poses??with the medal winning Barbados CARIFTA team at the Grantley Adams International Airport, on their return to the island.
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Athletes and swimmers who recently represented Barbados at the 40th CARIFTA meet have been lauded by Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, for their incredible performances.

While welcoming home the athletes last evening at the Grantley Adams International Airport, Mr. Lashley said he was impressed with their showing and stressed that the entire "Team Barbados" had done this country proud.

"We appreciate the achievements of all of you – those who have received medals and those who have not… When Barbados, given its population size, is able to do so well at a regional meet it means … that our training programme is accomplishing its objectives and it means our athletes have the right frame of mind to really concentrate over certain lengths," he stated.

Minister Lashley suggested that the athletes’ feat at the games would be a significant boost for young people. He continued: "I am an eternal defender of young people because I believe that most of them are very positive. I think that when our young athletes perform outstandingly… it confirms that the majority of our young people have their minds in the right place and we as a Government have to give them all the support we can."

He promised partnerships would be created between Barbados and other countries that had significant sporting infrastructure, so as to provide further opportunities for training of athletes.

"At the Commonwealth Games last year we sought to build linkages between Barbados and India and I hope to be in a position fairly shortly to talk a bit more about those partnerships. In addition, we will be working with other countries to build on the experiences of our athletes," he stated.

The athletes won 27 medals – nine gold, eight silver and 10 bronze, while the swimmers received 48 medals – 21 gold, 14 silver and 13 bronze.

saustin@barbados.gov.bb

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