Friday, March 29, 2024

BOA eyeing Youth Games

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BARBADOS will be hoping to send a team of nearly ten competitors to next year’s Youth Games in Nanjing, China.
The disclosure was made by Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) president Steve Stoute during an official visit to the BOA’s Wildey headquarters from China’s Ambassador to Barbados Xu Hong and other officials recently.
The Chinese contingent included economic and commercial counsellor Wu Gangchen, attaché Niu Zhikang, and first secretary Yang Lianchun and met with Steve Stoute and BOA general manager Glyne Clarke to discuss a wide range of topics, including sport in Barbados, the Olympic movement, and preparations for the 2014 Youth Olympic Games.
During a short tour of the on-site museum, Stoute welcomed the ambassador and praised China for its commitment to sport.
“We are pleased to welcome Ambassador Hong and other Chinese officials to the offices of the BOA,” Stoute said.
“The Beijing Olympics were spectacular and we are looking forward to the Youth Games in Nanjing next year. Barbados is presently going through the qualification stages but we hope to have eight or nine athletes competing,” Stoute said.
Clarke will be leading the team travelling to China and he reiterated the BOA’s excitement.
“We thank the Chinese government for their continued support and interest in local sporting activities. Barbados has produced tremendous athletes over the years, including Ryan Brathwaite and Obadele Thompson,” he said.
“We hope to build on this and we look forward to carrying a strong, competitive team to Nanjing.”
Hong praised the BOA for its efforts and commended the association for its designation as an official International Olympic Committee (IOC) training centre, the only one in the Caribbean.
“The BOA has done very valuable work and we hope that through our respective governments, we can cooperate with you and assist with future endeavours,” he said.
Gangchen confirmed their willingness to assist, explaining that the Chinese government has provided support for numerous economic, social and cultural projects in many different countries.
Hong was also introduced to Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, regional administrator of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization. and they discussed the importance of education and testing in tackling drug use in sports.
Following the tour, Stoute presented the ambassador with a commemorative BOA tie and thanked him once again for visiting. (PR/HG)

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