But extra-special CONGRATULATIONS are due to the hurdler, Jermahd Huggins–who made it to the podium on two successive occasions in his speciality of hurdles (400m & 110m).

Put in perspective, against the challenges posed by Covid over the past 2 years, the accomplishment of Jermahd assumes even greater significance.

In light of a previous conversation we ( Delwayne & Bridgewater) would have had in focusing on the future of Track and Field, the outcomes of the Easter Weekend in Jamaica, from a SKN perspective, reinforces my view about the need to deliberately identify a core group of athletes and concentrate attention on them with opportunities to afford access into this core group by other athletes who demonstrate subsequent superlative standards/performances but were not originally part of that core group.

It takes approximately 8 years(minimum)–barring the exceptional- to produce a world class athlete. This is a rule of thumb that we should take on board.

Athletes who perform at the level we just witnessed by Jermahd are more likely than not to have graduated through the respective Primary & Secondary School Programmes, the Development Meet Schedule. This factor must not be understimated, undervalued.

Congratulations, once again, are extended, on my personal behalf, and on behalf of the SKNOC-CGA. May the performances of provide the shot in the arm, the inspiration that local Track and Field requires.

The SKNOC has therefore funded the entire cost of two (2) participants in an Association of National Olympic Committees of the Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) “Javelin Throws Training Academy,” currently ongoing at the National Stadium in Grenada. The Athletics Academy caters to youth athletes aged 15 to 18 years.

The SKNOC in collaboration with St Kitts and Nevis Athletics (SKN Athletics) has endorsed the selection of Ms Cadence Stanley who is currently on the SKN Athletics Carifta 2020 Development Squad. The athlete will be accompanied by Coach Terrence Romney, an IAAF CECS Level 1 Certified Throws Coach.

The training ends on Friday 13th December 2019. We wish both athlete and coach well and encourage them to take the training very seriously and to share what they learn at the Athletics Academy with others locally upon their return.

This bi-annual forum brings together a wide range of ‘athletes from across the Olympic Movement and provides an in-person community where athletes can exchange and discuss their viewpoints’. In keeping with the Olympic Agenda 2020, the IOC has taken significant measures to strengthen support to athletes.

Ms Hodge is scheduled to leave the Federation on Friday 12th April, 2019.

The workshop will be held under the auspices of the Association of National Olympic Committees of Eastern Caribbean States (ANOCES) as part of its 2018 Sports Academy and will focus on coaching and executing the fundamentals of the hurdles event. The training will be held over the period December 10th to 15th, 2018.

Mr Alwyn Babb of Barbados will conduct the coaching sessions on the workshop.

The SKNOC/CGA family, for its part, wishes to thank Mr. Collins for his exemplary, resilient and significant performances over a career which spanned the gamut from student-athlete through to professional athlete; from national to international icon. He captured, in the process,
several podium positions at the highest levels against the best and toughest of competitors under the most demanding and challenging circumstances and conditions.

Kim often defied the odds and put in performances that had the additional off-the-field value of inspiring and uniting an entire nation and region. His capturing the titles of World Champion (2003) and Commonwealth Champion (2002) are cases in point.

It is the wish of the SKNOC/CGA Family that Mr. Collins enjoys the next phase of his life’s journey.

In his first remarks as the new President, Mr. Val Henry thanked the outgoing Executive for serving the sport of athletics over the years and wished them much success.

He further thanked the General Assembly for its support and the confidence they placed in him and his entire slate of candidates, who are now charged with providing a new direction for the advancement of the sport of Track & Field.

The president and the new executive made it clear that they are committed to ensuring that the sport will be ‘athlete centric’. Henry says, the mission is to make the sport about the athletes and that priority attention will be given to training and development, which he says is a focus greatly needed.

Training and development said the president, will be comprehensive and across all areas, including for athletes, coaches, technical officials, club leaders and the association’s management. More effort will be placed in club development, recognizing that the association is largely one of clubs, and that the more dynamic our clubs are, so too will become the association.

More attention is also expected to be placed in the development of the sport in the rural areas of St. Kitts and Nevis. With respect to Nevis, said the president, immediate attention will be given to ensure that athletes and clubs there, feel that they are truly part of the national athletic federation. Events organized by the SKNAAA will now be held in Nevis as well, said the president and good use of the newly constructed Nevis Athletic Stadium, is to be expected in coming months.

Saturday’s election was also historic with a record number of new executives being elected from members who reside in Nevis. Three crucial positions are now held by Nevisians, namely Latoya Jones, as Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Shirmon Caines as Coaches Representative and is likely to head the powerful Coaches Commission which appoints all national coaches; while elite athlete Meritzer Williams was also elected and now serves as the Athletes Representative.

The full new Executive Committee comprises of the following:

The new body will now be busying itself to prepare for the upcoming 2018 athletic season and participation in several major overseas events.

On the local front, the executive and its commissions will also be paying attention to the upcoming Primary Schools and the Inter-High Schools and Colleges Championships.

While accepting that the road ahead will be filled with many challenges, including trying to find ways to erase its massive debt, the new executive has indicated however that they are committed to the task and will work hard to find solutions to resolve the current financial malaise.

The meeting, which was held at the conference room of the St. Kitts & Nevis Football Association, also received reports from the Executive, the Audited Statements and re-appointed Audain & Associates as the auditors for the association.

The elections were supervised by Electoral Committee Chairman, Jeffery ‘Pedro’ Hazel and Committee member Chesley Hamilton.

The SKNAAA Executive will present several reports to the General Assembly then elect its new Executive for the next four (4) years. The nominees for the eleven (11) positions are as follows:

At its Ordinary General Meeting held on Saturday 18th November 2017, the General Assembly agreed to the date of this Quadrennial. An Electoral Committee was appointed to oversee the democratic process.

The SKNAAA’s General Body is comprised of ten (10) Member Clubs (all of whom are in good standings). Each club is eligible to send two (2) delegates to participate in the meeting.

The meeting is likely to conclude with remarks by the Association’s new President.

Collins, the 2003 World Champion in the 100m, St. Kitts-Nevis’ National Record Holder for the 100m & 60m Indoor and World Masters Record Holder for the 60m & 100m, secured the most votes amongst the fifteen (15) candidates to serve on the prestigious commission.

The new commission shall therefore comprise of the following:

Name Member Federation Results
Kim Collins St. Kitts-Nevis (SKN) 798
Thomas Rohler Germany (GER) 691
Ivana Spanovic Serbia (SBR) 645
Benita Willis Australia (AUS) 564
Adam Kszczot Poland (POL) 529
Inaki Gomez Canada (CAN) 515

Voting period was for the duration of the IAAF World Championships, London, England – August 4th – 13th 2017.

A total of 1931 athletes were eligible to vote, with 1192 of them casting their ballets representing 61.73% amongst the eligible. Ten (10) ballots were rejected as a result of voting for more than six (6) athletes.

In an email earlier today, SKNAAA’s President, Glenville Jeffers expressed congratulations and words of encouragement to Collins “On my personal behalf and that of the entire Athletics Family in St. Kitts and Nevis, we wish to extend our congratulations to you on this accomplishment and to wish you all the best in your new role as a member of the IAAF’s Athletes’ Commission”.

Warren is selected to run the 400m as he has been making waves in this event for the past five (5) years. His performance has been improving steadily year after year thus securing him the National Junior, National Senior and National Indoor Records for the Federation of St. KittsNevis.

As recent as seven (7) days ago, he once again shattered his own National Record at the Blue Marlins Track and Field Classics, Nassau, Bahamas. His participation at this meet was made available through a sponsorship grant presented to the SKNAAA by the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in the Federal Government of St. Kitts-Nevis.

Now a sophomore at the University of Southern Illinois (Carbondale), his most recent accolades include the following:

• Broke National Outdoor and Indoor Record 5 times in 2017.
• 2016 and 2017 Missouri Conference Champion in the 400m.
• Two -time ‘All American’.
• Semi-Finalist at 2017 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Championships in the 400m.
• Ranked 12th Place in the NCAA for the Men’s 400m in 2017.
• 2016 and 2017 Champion at the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Track and Field Championships in the 400m. He’s also the Championships’ record holder.

Warren shall be accompanied to London by his childhood coach and club president (S.L. Horsfords Pace Setters Track Club) Mr. Lonzo Wilkinson.

SKNAAA President Mr. Glenville Jeffers shall also be traveling to London to represent his association as the 1stDelegate for the 51st IAAF Congress, August 1st – 2nd 2017.

A budget of USD3,301.16 was approved to facilitate travel, accommodation and other expenses for the championships.

Congratulations are extended to Warren as he makes his debut at the World Championships.

Selected were the following:

1. Lonzo Wilkinson Sr – Team Leader / Head Coach
2. Jermaine Francis – Athlete – High Jump
3. Kizan David – Athlete – Long Jump

The two (2) athletes selected are no strangers to international competition as both performed favorably at the 2017 CARIFTA Games with Francis capturing the National Junior, Senior and CARIFTA Record for the High Jump.

Coach Wilkinson is one (1) of the Federation’s most esteemed coaches based on qualifications and experience. He’s one (1) of five (5) Level V Coaches from St. Kitts and Nevis and the only IAAF Level II Coaches’ Lecturer in the country.

Congratulations and best wishes are extended to the team.