The chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC) is urging local sportspersons to keep away from performance enhancing substances.
Michael Power, in his address to the NSC’s 35th annual awards ceremony at the Frank Collymore Hall on Saturday night, encouraged competitors to play the game fairly at all times.
His comments came against the background that some sportspersons tested positive for performance enhancing substances in recent times.
“Let us not forget that goals and glory often come with hard work and determination. I wish to encourage you to stay focused and remind yourselves that you can and you will. At all times seek to do this with your God given talents,” Power said.
“I also wish to discourage the use of performance enhancing substances, a particular stain that affects both athlete and the country as a whole and one with which the National Anti-Doping Commission has had to deal with in 2017. Playing fair and playing true should be the athlete’s watchwords.”
In describing 2017 as a historic year for a number of Barbadian sportspersons, Power said the outstanding performances offered hope for the future of sports and motivation to emerging athletes.
The theme for the ceremony, Sports as a tool for social change, was in keeping with the NSC’s thrust to secure a value based positive sporting future for Barbados.
“Our aspirations are great, conscious that the approach from the sports sector must be highly sustained and focused,” Power added.
“Some of our great sports icons who are present tonight have laid down their marks and have been recognised globally; our present and upcoming athletes must also strive to create their own rich legacies.” (HG)
