Sports minister, Justina Charles, has lauded the efforts of sports men and women in Dominica and said government is committed to the further development of sports on the island.
However, she warned that they need to show discipline at all times.
“You need to show discipline to referees, coaches, and all those in authority, train and be committed and stay away from drugs, even if you have the talent and lack discipline it will take you no where, ” she said at the 8th Annual National Sports Award Ceremony on Wednesday night.
The event was held at the Fort Young Hotel under the theme “Believe, Dream, Inspire.”
The Sports Man of the Year went to national cricketer Gian Benjamin and the Sports Woman Thea Lafond.
Benjamin captained the Under-19 Dominica team and during that time scored an impressive century and two half centuries. He also had over 10 dismissals behind the stumps and was among four selected on the Windward Islands team while Lafond, an overseas based Dominican athlete was outstanding in track and field.
Speaking to reporters, Benjamin said he owed his achievement to his coaches. “I want to thank my many coaches who have assisted me and to my many fans, team mates and villages who believe in me and continues to inspire me,” he said.
Lafond is presently out of state and Ronnie Isidore received the award on her behalf.
Female Youth Athlete of the Year Award went to Shani Angol.
Below is the full list of awards.
Athletics (track and field) male – Yordany’s Garcia
female – Thea Lafond
Basketball (male) – Thomas felix
(female) – Shernel St. Rose
Boxing – Miguel Greenaway
Bridge – Albert Astaphan
Cricket – Gian Benjamin
Pearl Etienne
Domino – Augustus Parker
Football (male) – Hugo Riley
(female) – Kasika Samuel
Netball – Stacey Fontaine
Rounders – Marilyn Auguiste
Softball Cricket – Kershaski Jno. Lewis
Tennis – Mauricio Burton
Volleyball (male) – Lincoln Riviere
(female) – Anna-Maria Xavier
Group/Organisations Award:
Sporting Village of the Year went to Marigot which received a cash award of $1500.00 from the Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Justina Charles.
Dominica Football Association’s president, Glen Etienne picked up the award for Sports Association of the Year on behalf of the association.
Other awards include:
Special Olympics Athlete of the year – Andriana Aaron
PE/Sports Teacher of the year (Primary School) – Delvin Esprit
(Secondary School) – Walson Pacquette
School of the year in Sports (Primary School) – Wesley Primary
(Secondary School) – PSS
Sports Commentator of the Year – Ossie Lewis
Sports Reporter of the Year – Garvin Richards
Official Umpire/Referee of the Year – Lennox Abraham
Coach of the Year – Thomas Kentish
Club of the Year – Aithon Athletics Club
Sports Committee of the Year – Marigot
Sponsor of the Year – LIME
but DNO who just choose your headlines nah?this item headline should be something like “Gian Benjamin is sports man or the year” or something of that nature. the ministers remarks should have been separate or less mentioned .the highlight of this item should have been the award ceremony and the awardees.
As minister of sports I do hope that you have requested an internal report from the Dominica Football Association for all but one player not showing up to the closing ceremony of the just concluded windward island football championship. In that light I do hope that pending disciplinary action is being considered by your ministry for the embarrassment this action has caused.
Hahaha justina asking for discipline papa met! !! And those people on the stage in St Joseph calling people all kia dirty name hmm Reginald Austrie on a stage disrespecting a woman and justina Charles sit down on a chair behind him clapping. Papa bordia those people there wicked.and Dominican telling me they go in to vote those people there again for 5 years???? Hmm instead those people talk about the vision for the young people and jobs they going to create they on a stage blazing the opposition. Weh weh weh well Dominicans wicked!!
I did not know bridge was a sport. I always thought it is a card game. Bur maybe they change that to 400 metres bridge over hurdles? Explain that to me, I must be dumb.
Justin you needs to call for discipline among your INSULTIVE POLITICIANS, and you need to ask Austrie to apologise to the St Joseph people for the insult at Monnell, otherwise i recommend that you shut up!
In the absence ot this you are not an example to the youths of this country. SIMPLE!!!!!!
Wonder if you were not giggling and clapping on stage!
Give the madam minister a break. She was not invited to travel to Guarda in her official capacity as minister of sports. One I think should be strongly review with a view to removing her as sports minister. With all due respect she is weak in that position. My dear lady is always shouting as if she is at the top of LA—LAY. Discipline is required to control your volume. Madam we are hearing you. Not hating but some friendly advise Madam Minister.
“I like that i really like that” but how do you expect the youth to exhibit any level of discipline when you their so called adult “role models” an “mentors” continue to blatantly tarnish an pollute the political landscape with your constant innuendos an indiscipline. There is a price to pay an one day you are gone-a-pay.
Justina
… 
Reggie 
needs political discipline…. do you agree ? 
You know if Justina was one of those clapping nah. Did you hear all the female voices. THEY ENJOYED THAT. TO INSULT YOU AND ASK YOU TO VOTE FOR THEM.
If Justina has any pride remaining in her, she first needs to condemn Austrie for insulting women a week before mother’s day for a meat that all women eat. Take care of your own house first and then you will be fit to address the nation because as a mother I like to eat cow meat too and no one especially a male cow should mapwesay me for eating my cow meat.
As a woman herself, and the wife of a former Prime Minister, Justina Charles should call on her own cabinet to exercise discipline, respect, and professionalism when addressing the nation. She needs to tell them that they must not behave like Marl Coshon. As a woman I have yet to hear her condemn Reggie for his insult on women during his pre-mothers day address on the recent ALL FOOLS DAY gathering help by her party in St. Joseph. Until she addresses that I don’t think she can advise anyone.
my bad Boring.