National Paralympic Committee Launched

Details

Health News

Wednesday, 21 March 2012 02:30

By caribarena news

Antigua St John's - A wide range of people from the business and sporting community gathered at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa to witness the official launch of the Antigua and Barbuda Paralympic Committee on Thursday, March 15.

Sprint sensation Jamol Pilgrim was lauded as the nation’s only paralympic athlete, and Sir Vivian Richards, who has been named the organisation’s patron, was on hand to commend the organisation for rallying behind Pilgrim.

“This is a historic event, and when I met this young man, I knew that I had to get involved so I urge the private sector to come forward by giving us your financial support because as we all can appreciate, a substantial amount of money is required if we want an athlete of this calibre to perform at the international level,” Richards said.

President of the Olympic Committee Senator Chet Greene echoed the national hero’s sentiments, and noted that athletes with physical disabilities will now have an organisation that caters to their needs. Both Nigel Pigott (vice president) and Pilgrim (athlete) gave “tear jerking” remarks, the ultimate goal of the committee being to recruit other potential athletes.

Pilgrim met the “A” Standard International Paralympics Committee time for the men’s 100 metres at a meet in Miami last year, which included the eight fastest amputees in the world in his class.

The challenge was that there was no Paralympic Committee in Antigua & Barbuda, and time was running out. Thanks to the efforts of Ann-Marie Pilgrim, Nigel Pilgrim, Nigel Pigott, Craig Ryan, Senator Chet Greene, Anne Harewood George, and Andrina Athill, the Antigua and Barbuda Paralympic Committee was formed.

The committee has received official recognition from the International Olympic and Paralympic bodies. For further information, or to support feel free to contact the committee at 562-7482/726-1587/764-7778 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

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