The Barbados Olympic Association Inc. (BOA) recently held its annual awards ceremony under the theme “Sport Is Who We Are,” to honour the outstanding achievements of athletes from various sports and highlight the deep connection our nation shares with sport.
A major highlight of the ceremony, held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados Sam Lord’s Castle Resort, was the recognition of Sada Williams, the world 400-metre bronze medalist and 2024 Olympic finalist, as the Senior Female Athlete of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, alongside fellow Olympian Matthew Wright, the island’s top triathlete, who was named Senior Male Athlete of the Year for the second time. Williams also received the President’s Award for her consistent and dedicated athletic performance throughout her career.
Other top awardees included Fynn Armstrong, a gold medalist at the 2024 CARIFTA Triathlon, Aquathlon and Mixed Relay Championship, who was named Junior Male Athlete of the Year, and Kishawna Niles, a bronze medalist in the 100m at the World Under-20 Championships, who won the Junior Female Athlete of the Year Award. Niles was also the recipient of the 2024 People’s Choice Award.
BOA embarking on a new quadrennium
In her opening remarks, the President of the BOA, Sandra Osborne S.C., applauded the athletes on their achievements in 2024. She also highlighted the exciting developments ahead for the BOA as it moves into the new four-year cycle, which will culminate with the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. While the BOA is still in the early stages of planning for the period, President Osborne gave the assurance that the final plan will be a collaborative effort.
“It will be characterised by the following features: A celebration, in 2025, of the 70th anniversary of our recognition as a National Olympic Committee by the International Olympic Committee.
A renewed focus on how we can better support athletes to reach their full potential. Exploration of the feasibility of a sports facility on the new parcel of land in Wildey agreed to be leased to us by the Government of Barbados. A new strategy on sustainability, having signed on to the United Nations Sport for Climate Action Framework and UN Sport for Nature Framework, and a new focus on Marketing and Communications”.
President Osborne also lauded the efforts of the four athletes who represented Barbados at the 2024 Paris Olympics: Sada Williams, Tristan Evelyn, Matthew Wright, and Jack Kirby. She conveyed the BOA’s pride in their achievements, adding that the association is committed to working with stakeholders to help the athletes reach even greater heights of success.
IGT committed to sports development
During her remarks, the Director of IGT Antilles, Shelly Ann Hee Chung, reaffirmed IGT’s commitment to supporting sports development in Barbados. And, while highlighting the nation’s strong Olympic history, she pointed out that the aspirations of the island’s young athletic talent are realized thanks to the BOA’s unwavering dedication.
She said, “You are the creators of dreams, establishing a foundation where athletes can develop into well-rounded individuals both on and off the field.”
Meanwhile, to the night’s awardees, she reminded them that they are not just exceptional athletes but extraordinary ambassadors for Barbados.
Athletes urged to strive for excellence
Echoing this sentiment, the keynote speaker, Leah Martindale-Stancil OLY, Barbadian Olympian Swimmer, who made history as the first Black female to compete in an Olympic swimming final in the 50m freestyle, urged the athletes to embrace their potential and never lose faith in themselves.
“The level of talent on this island is significant, and it is enormous. We take it for granted, or simply we do not realise that it exists,” she said. Recalling her own journey, she added, “I don’t think I noticed my own talent until it was brought to my attention, and someone told my mother of my potential. If I’m being honest, I did not want to take that leap, but my mother encouraged me, and here I am.”
The former Olympian, now Associate Head Swimming Coach at Louisiana State University, also shared an important lesson with the athletes, “As an athlete, you face obstacles, challenges, injuries, and miss goals that you were training towards. But to be successful, you have to pick yourself right back up and try again. Life can slap you across the face out of nowhere, and with that, you will need to pick yourself up and go again.”
In total, 26 awards were presented during the ceremony. These included the International Excellence Award to Monique Archer, the Team of the Year Award to the Billie-Jean King Cup Tennis Team, and the Sports Journalist Award to Anmar Goodridge-Boyce.
Several special recognition awards were presented to outstanding athletes in multiple categories. They included:
Junior Female Athlete Recognition Award
Eboni Atherley (Squash)
Hannah Wilson (Chess)
Isis Gaskin (Triathlon)
Heidi Stoute (Aquatics)
Junior Male Athlete Recognition Award
Alex Stewart (Squash)
Tommaso Layson (Surfing)
Senior Female Athlete Recognition Award
Emily Odwin (Golf)
Margot Prow (Squash)
Senior Male Athlete Recognition Award
Khamal Cumberbatch (Squash)
The International Excellence Recognition Award
Hason Ward (Basketball)
Sports Journalist Recognition Award
Dwayne Gibbs
Morissa Lindsay
Philip Spooner
Team Recognition Awards
National U14 Boys Football Team
National CARIFTA Triathlon & Aquathlon Team
Academic Excellence Award
Jesse King
Kerry Trotman