BELAIR--The St. Maarten delegation for the Central America and Caribbean (CAC) Games was announced at the Belair Community Centre on Tuesday night.
In an extravagant ceremony, in which the Minister of Education Culture, Youth and Sport, Jorien Wuite, Director of Sport, Jonelle Richardson, National Sport Institute Director, Maikel Cornet were present, the full entourage was announced to the fair-sized audience.
The CAC Games 2018 will be held from July 19 to August 3 in Barranquilla, Columbia. The St. Maarten delegation will be participating in four disciplines. They are Cycling, Judo, Swimming and Sailing. A total of seven athletes will participate in those four events but the travel party comprises of 25 persons.
The Chef de Mission is Kemmelie Paula. She provided all the details of the trip.
The representative for cycling is Wilfred Chittick. The coach is Patricia Carty. For Judo, Michaelangelo Bell is the lone representative. The coach is Bryron Isebia. Shamar Thomas is the youngest athlete on the team to CAC Games for St. Maarrten. He is the one and only swimmer. His coach is Burton Theodora. The members of the sailing team are Garth Steyn, Jolyon Ferron, Alec Scaraballi and Jan Willem Bus. The coach is Marinus Korteknie. The team leader is Cary Byerly.
The St. Maarten delegation is expected travel on two separate dates. The members for the Swimming and Sailing disciplines will leave on July 16 and the members of the Cycling and Judo teams will travel to Columbia on July 24.
The youngest athlete is Sharmar Thomas who is 17 years old. Asked how he feels about being selected to participate in the games, "I'm a little anxious about how it will go for me but I plan to give 200%. I am also excited." the former Browlia F. Maillard Campus (MAC Campus 1) and St. Dominic Secondary pupil stated enthusiastically. Thomas is slated to compete in the 50M Butterfly and 50M Freestyles races. He stated that his best time which was achieved in Curacao, this year, was 25 seconds. Thomas started his swimming career with the coach Frankie of SHARKS club in 2015 and is grateful for all his coaches and mentors who encouraged him along the way. His aim is to bring back a medal for St. Maarten to make his family, friends and trainers proud. Thomas trains everyday of the week except on Sunday. His training regiments include parachutes and elastics among other exercises.
Aartwichgt Bell, President of the St. Maarten Sports and Olympic Federation who was described as the brainchild behind St. Maarten having her first delegation to such an international game, told The Daily Herald, he was very proud of the moment. "It's a grand accomplishment. It's not the end of the road for St. Maarten. There is still a far way to go in order for us prepare competent and well trained athletes. If we have all hands on deck, for sure, a lot could be achieved for sports on St. Maarten. This is a special moment for St. Maarten and the athletes and I want to wish them the best as they represent St. Maarten in an international game." Bell also revealed that St. Maarten will be using the games as a stepping stone for 2020 Olympic Games.
