One of Dominica’s national javelin throwers is now better poised to compete in her discipline, thanks to a much needed donation from a local financial company.
At the same time, local athletic associations got blasted for not playing their roles in developing sports on the island.
Shanee Angol, 16 of Grand Bay, was on Tuesday presented with a 500-gram javelin courtesy of Big Edge Financial Express.
The javelin will assist her in leveling the playing field with her competitors.
Executive Director of the company and former Cricket Umpire, Billy Doctrove, explained that he met Angol during the Independence season and inquired about her career.
It was then he learnt of her plight.
“It is with a great sense of satisfaction and accomplishment that we have gathered here this afternoon for a function which honestly speaking should not be taking place. You might find this a strange statement, but you will find out why I am saying this,” Doctrove told members of the media at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium, where the presentation took place. “She mentioned to me that she never had a proper javelin to train with.”
According to him, Angol said her plight is no secret to the authorities but she was told that the much needed equipment could not be sourced.
“So here it is I find it really unbelievable that we have an athlete who is a national champion and a national record holder, a regional champion and a regional record holder and we have in Dominica two organizations, the Dominica Athletics Association (DAA) and the Dominica Olympic Committee (DOC), which have been charged with the responsibility to promoting and developing sports and in particular the sports within their jurisdiction but have failed in their duties the most basic of equipment for one of our most promising athletes,” he said. “I honestly consider that a travesty of justice.”
Doctrove said he felt “infuriated that the persons and the organizations that have the responsibilities to contributing to their success are sadly and regrettably are not fulfilling and are failing in their responsibility.”
“So Big Edge Financial Express has again come on board and has come to the assistance of Shanee. And I sincerely hope that you use the javelin wisely,” he stated, adding that “she has her own so that it can give her that competitive edge that she needs when competing at the regional and international level.”
The former Cricket Umpire said he made some contacts and in just over a month had sourced the equipment valued at approximately EC$2,000 in the United States of America (USA).
Doctrove urged Angol to be committed and dedicated as there are no short cuts to success.
Meantime a relieved Angol said that with her own javelin, she will be able to reach higher heights.
“I would like to thank Mr. Doctrove for solving my problem and for handing me this javelin. It will do me good and will help me to go further,” she said.
Sprint sensation, Luan Gabriel, is another athlete that Doctrove mentioned that he has also been working closely with for some three years now.
Praise God for you Mr. Doctrove. I’ve always heard that sometimes we have to do it ourselves. God is gonna bless you back with $20 000 US. Wait and you’ll see.. Shame on these authorities though.. Cause as soon as she is scouted by a top Track School in the US and probably courted by USTF Coaches, then and only then DAAA and DOC will come running, begging her to represent DA. Track in DA is slowly losing it’s self, cause the young people receive no incentive, while coaches and heads of DOC fighting to take trips, for them and family… One day all this injustice will be solved… looking forward to heaven… only place this will Stop. Congrats Shanee, make the best use of your Javelin.
Before we waste time criticizing let’s pull our energies together and follow in the footstep of mr. Doctrove and let’s assist other struggling athletes. Let our names all appear on the wall alongside mr. Doctrive
I was in tears when I read this story. Thank you Mr. Doctrove and Big Edge. You are a true ambassador!
Could DNO investigate and let us know who are the members of the Dominica Olympic Committee and the Dominica Athletics Association?
God bless you and your company Mr Doctrove, am calling on our Diaspora, now is the time to help out your country, be less critical and help a good cause, so many names to mention but will not. They find nothing worthwhile to do but sit infront their videos and blast one man , the likes of Shirlet Allan, thats where people like her should come in.
Billy Doctrove you are one kind-hearted person. This gesture tells so much of the person that you are. No wonder all political parties want you to join them. Thanks Billy for all that you do for our beautiful country.
Wow, when I read this article tears came from my eyes. Thanks to the folks at Big Edge. For such a small company, I find they are very generous. To the athlete, please make good use of this and good luck to you.
All those boys like Cedric just sitting to collect a salary and to travel. Not doing a thing for sports. Waste of time. But if it was for them to travel, they will find the money. Thanks Mr. Doctrove, these guys genuinely cared for the sport whether it was cricket, football and they were paid minimal. Greedy hungry people now with sports going no where. As for the minister of Sports, Justina, waste of time that lady and they put her back another waste of time for another 5 years.
This man not only talk the talk but! he walks the walk, need I say more?? That’s a model citizen giving back as some of us does with out mention. God bless you Sir.
Mr. Doctrove i wish there was more Dominicans like you who had the interest of the youth at heart, presently there is much need attention for sports in Dominica and i have come to realize that unless the authorities don’t benefit directly (financially) they have no interest in it. Continue to make the people who look up to you and respect you, proud. Look not for reward on this earth but in Heaven Mr. Doctrove, and Young lady all the best and success inn your sporting endeavors.
Cannot source a javelin! I cannot believe that the DOC OR THE DAAA would dare to make sure a claim or even suggest such. A javelin! Yes, they are very expensive, but I speak from a point of authority (having been part of administration in the past) when I state that the DAAA gets an administrative grant from the IAAF. There are conditions to the grant and one such is that there must be an office and of course there is the issue of accountability which the IAAF is serious about. A report must be completed and submitted every year. The DAAA does not pay a secretary, the telephone and light bills are not very high as the IAAF uses the internet for most of its communication, much of the funds are used to help with meets be it local or overseas because of lack of funding at times. The DOC is suppose to support the programs of the DAAA especially as it relates to what is referred to as Talent identification. Tell me why one javelin could not be bought? I remember when as an association, we bought equipment for years with funds sought through the DOC. What is happening to the relationship between the two organization? Are these organizations there to meets the needs of the athletes or the needs of the administrators. Mr. Doctrove, thank your for your GENUINE INTEREST in our athletes and in athletic development in Dominica. You are the type of individual that the DOC needs at its helm, someone GENUINELY INTERESTED in the development of sports on this island. May God bless you, your family, your business.
The Vice President of the DOC is the President of the DAAA. I would like to think there is a relationship. Both the IOC and the IAAF should audit these local associations.
This is a tremendous gesture by Doctrove and his Company. They are always willing to help persons in need. Those associations that he referred to are a disgrace to sports and the officers are …. who are only interested in the ‘Bon Temp” that they can get.
Hope that the Minister of sport can investigate the working of ALL associations in an effort to have the working in the interest of our young athletes.
Billy would be an ideal Minister of sport. I hope he can think it over and come on board to further assist sports development in Dominica. Roseau North awaits a credible Rep which Billy can surely offer.
Excellent work Mr. and Mrs. Doctove! If it was a big trip to go to the olympics all the big heads and so called administrators would be in front, but to source equipment is a problem. I like how Billy handled them, do not hide them, expose them.
Labor is working, Sports is dead, cannot be resuscitated up to now, and the same minister of sports for another five years, to bury sports.
Good job Mr Doctrove. The government and associations continue to fail the sports men and women in Dominica. I’m very happy that sponsors like you can come on board and help the young athlete which will go a very long way in helping them become better.
There is a serious lack of effective strategy when it comes to sports development as well as general motivation for youth. Too often the private sector has to be the savior of promising athletes and other talented individuals. We all have a part to play: parents, schools, private sector, government and non profit organizations alike. However it is blatantly and painfully clear that there is insufficient planning, budgeting and effective strategy to make youth competitive engagements the important engagement and motivation that it should be. Be it athletics, soccer, basketball, scouting, queen competitions etc: we do not plan sufficiently and prioritize to give youths hope to do well and also to help instill national pride. On an annual basis we should have a plan that includes the number of athletes and regional and international competitions we are seeking to target. We know for example what the regional competitions are. So too, we know the major international events, 3, 4 years in advance. How do we aspire to bring out the best in the youths and plan in that respect? Even if the government does not have all the resources, we can have our minds focused on those goals, and funds can be raised but sadly these areas are without strong, strategic leadership. We should not be pushing the panic button several times a year and at the last minute trying to get all kinds of sponsorship, which fail half the time or ends up targeting only a few. Far too many times we end up sending one or two or three representatives and our sister islands have a solid contingent of 12 or 40. The technocrats are asleep at the wheels and throw their hands in the air about lack of funds and the leaders are just politicians with talk and no strategic action. We all have to do alot better in giving youths more to dream and hope for, in the process creating a healthy and more cohesive society, and also instilling national pride.
congrats bro!!!!! doing great things!!!
A TRUE COPORATE CITIZEN, LEADING BY EXAMPLE
I am deeply touched by such an initiative..
God bless you Billy and your company
Thanks to Big Edge and Billy Doctrove…we applaud your spirit of helping people…You should be a politician man!!!
Good job Big edge, that’s what corporate citizenship is all about.
Meant time 5 more years…..lol of nothing.
Thanks billy for saving this young woman career. Nevertheless, be mindful that she will be criticize by the same association who didn’t help her if she doesn’t perform in a major even. I know it will take time for her to get use to her new javelin but I have every confident in this young woman ability.
These association are sure a waste of time and money. Its very insulting and very poor on their part not to provide the tools for our athletes.
I am calling on the Government to put more interest into sports
Both financially and socially. Back in the 80s, sports was a major activity in Dominica, not so much now.. Please Government do more for the youths who wish to excel in their chosen sporting field. I need to see more Dominicans at international events.. That’s where Isaaac comes in. Isaac would be good in the sports field he could work with Justina and give her some sports advice.. This I believe could work.. Isaac if you are reading this is from Alix
The following areas could be developed
Swimming
Little league football
Tennis
Athletics
Badminton
Beach volleyball
Self defence- fencing
Etc.
Kudos to Doctrove and Big Edge for supporting this young lady and also for speaking up against the DOC and the DAAA’s for the lack of support for these athletes. I have said it over and over again, that the two presidents of those associations are worthless and the athletes and their representatives/clubs/associations should bring a “vote of no confidence against the president of the DOC, Wilson and the president of the DAAA, Harris who is also the vice-president of the DOC. When you look at their past body of work, it is beyond mediocre and the local coaches are afraid to speak up because they are more concerned about getting a trip than the progression of the athletes. Gabriel spoke up about the atrocities committed by the president of the DOC at London 2012 and she has since been blacklisted by both the DAAA and the DOC, as was her coach who is no longer in Dominica, but welcomed by another small island.
This thing has to stop. I urge the athletes to voice their concerns in a letter to the IOC and the IAAF. These athletes deserve better. Again, big up to Doctrove and Big Edge.
One Love Dominicans!!!!
Well done Billy!!!! To you and your organization!!!!! Leading by example!!!!
But this is unbelievable!! A $2,000 javelin for one of our young champions and our local so called associations could not source it??? Those has to a the most backward and inefficient associations. In particular the DOC cannot source this? But they can find the money for officials to travel all over the place to inconsequential meetings and go and ski??
What nonsense is that?? Thanks to Mr. Doctrove and Big Edge, this young athlete can train properly and compete against other regional champions on a level playing field.
shame, shame, shame, shame!!!! on thos elocal associations who are just sitting back and doing nothing!!
They are sitting back and doing nothing? Wrong!!
Some of them are sitting back and drawing a salary for doing nothing. That’s what they are doing.
They said they could not source the javeline, so my question is: what purpose do these organizations really serve? They are only there to gather a delegation to travel to the regional and Olympic games?
These guys are only interested in creating employment for themselves and have forgotten the real reason they even exist.
BIG EDGE keeps on giving to sports… What a great gift to give to a young promising Athlete.
May God continue to bless that business house….. and may he also bless the owners abundantly..