NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) – CARIFTA Games founder Austin Sealy has been honoured by the Bahamas government for his outstanding contribution to the sport in the region. He was presented with the award by Bahamas athletics chief Mike Sands during Friday’s opening ceremony at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium.
Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie showered praise on Sealy, pointing out that his innovation had brought the Caribbean region closer together.
“It (award) has the CARIFTA logo carved onto the (conch) shell. It’s a wonderful gift to a wonderful man, who has the inspiration to link us all together,” he said.
In handing over the award, Sands told Sealy: “On behalf of all the athletes, past, present and future, it’s a great pleasure for me to present to you this symbol of our strength: the conch shell which has many, many symbols, for bringing this Games to fruition and may it continue to grow from strength to strength.”
Sealy, a prominent member of the power International Olympic Committee, thanked the government and the Bahamian people for the gesture and wished athletes well.
In declaring the 42nd CARIFTA Games officially open, Christie remembered the life of Jamaican Neville ‘Teddy’ McCook, former president of the North America, Central America and Caribbean Track & Field Association (NACAC), who died last month.