Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA) recently held a Junior Community Rally to celebrate International Day of Sport for Development and Peace at the Parkinson Field. The event was staged to promote unity and peace through sporting activities and to bring awareness to social changes that can be achieved through sports.
At the opening ceremony, BOA Secretary General, Erskine Simmons, said he was pleased with the turnout and was hoping to stage a similar event next year. “The BOA has taken the initiative to stage this event to help promote peace and togetherness. We recognise that the majority of the teams here are representing communities which have the highest prevalence of at risk youth,” he said. “This community rally was staged to bring together the youths of these communities and prove that sports play an integral
role in building character and fostering goodwill among people. This day is not about competition, it is about sportsmanship and togetherness.”
The Rally featured an under-14 football tournament, dominoes, road tennis matches and a women’s football exhibition match. The participating teams were: Dover Paradise, Britton’s Hill, Waterford Compton United, Deacons, Evans Maughan, Ivy Rovers, Pride of Gall Hill, Empire and Weymouth Wales.
Spectators soaked up the sun to support their respective teams as the under-14’s battled each other for the top spot and a year’s bragging rights. This accolade went to Britton’s Hill who emerged the eventual winners while Empire settled for second place.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Rally which will be held in a different community. International Day of Sport for Development and Peace acknowledges the strategic role sporting activities play in helping to foster life skills such as teamwork, among athletes.