Netherlands Antilles Olympic track and field star Churandy Martina paid an official visit to the island of Saba on Saturday and was welcomed to the island by Lt. Governor of Saba, Mr. Jonathan Johnson, Commissioner of Sports Mr. Bruce Zagers and President of the Saba United Sports Federation Mrs. Jamilla Wilson-Berkel at the Juancho Yrausquin Airport.
Lt. Governor Johnson presented the Antillean superstar with a medal at the airport. Mr. Martina was accompanied to the island by the President of the Antillean Federation of Athletics, Mr. Ruthsel Martina, Mr. Gershon Faneyt, Youth Coach of the CUS project Netherlands Antilles and Ms. Arlene Bitorina Kids instructor in Athletics.
Mr. Martina and his delegation held a one hour presentation at the Child Focus Building in Windwardside for many youngsters where he showed them several of his DVD’s. He also thanked the people of Saba for the support that he received from them during the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Commissioner of Sports Mr. Bruce Zagers welcomed Mr. Martina and his delegation to the island at the Child Focus Building and said that Saba is honored to have the opportunity to have one of our own Antillean Athletes amongst us and willing to share his experiences with the children of the island.
During the presentation Mr. Martina also made a special presentation of some sporting material to the President of the newly founded Saba United Sports Federation Mrs. Jamilla Wilson-Berkel, who in receiving the gift said that on behalf of the federation she was delighted to have been able to accept the gift and she would do all within her powers to put good use to them.
Churandy’s message to the youth of Saba on Saturday morning was to stay focus on what they want to achieve in life. He reminded them that their education should be number one and all other things can come after. He told them that with dedication, hard work and self discipline they can do well in what ever they set out to do.
President of the Antillean Athletic Federation Mr. Ruthsel Martina said that he was happy to be on Saba to encourage as many children to enter into the sport, he said that his organization is happy to know that there is some interest on Saba and with the establishment of the federation on Saba they are willing to assist wherever possible. we have the expertise and we are willing to share it with the youth of Saba. This will not be our last visit to the island we will be coming here more often now and assisting.
The Executive Council of Saba in recognition of his achievements at the Olympics also made sure that he had a wonderful stay on the island and took him and his entourage out for a Saban style lunch at Tropics Cafe. The delegation also visited all sporting facilities on the island and had a full tour of the island of Saba and departed Saba via St. Maarten for St. Eustatius on Saturday afternoon.