A triumphant Barbados Junior Squash team returned home last Sunday after dominating at the recent Caribbean Area Squash Association’s tournament, which was held in Trinidad.
Minister of Sports, John King, who was on hand to greet the team in the Arrivals Hall of the Grantley Adams International Airport, congratulated the team on what he described as an outstanding performance.
“I just want to say how proud we are of your achievements, especially at a time when so many negative things are printed in the press about young people, and you will stand out as an example of what is achievable. On behalf of the Ministry [of Sports] and the Government itself and the people of Barbados, we just want to tell you how proud we are of you and thank you for doing what you do.”
Minister King praised the team for its commitment to the sport, stating that what they had achieved collectively showed discipline, which is one of the things that “we keep talking about that seems to be missing in some areas of our lives”.
The Sports Minister also shared that he had seen plans for a home for the Barbados Squash Association, and while government was unable to follow through with those plans at this time, he pledged to work with the association and lend his ministry’s assistance to any projects which they undertook in finding a permanent home.
He commended the team for its commitment to the sport, despite not having a permanent home.
“I want to take the opportunity to encourage you to continue doing what you are doing, because each one of you who has come and got to this point where you can represent your country at this level. You don’t know who the next set of squash players are going to be, who you are already influencing at this point of time,” he said.
Barbados’ medal haul at the recent tournament included gold in the under 11 girls and under 19 girls; silver in the under 19 boys and bronze in the under 19 girls. The squash players were also awarded the prize for the best team.