GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The 2nd edition of the Speedy Plus International Track and Field Meet, held on May 11th, 2013 at the Alberic Richards Stadium in Sandy Ground, was another opportunity to unite the island in yet another development program around sports.
Though the meet was held on the French of the island, it should be noted that the 2nd edition was hosted by the Dutch Side of St. Maarten due to the upgrading of the facilities. This meet gave both sides of the island the opportunity to display their commitment to the signed "Declaration of Intent of Cooperation" between the Government of the Republic of France, The Government of St. Maarten and the Territorial Council of St. Martin.
This partnership highlights the cooperation between the North and the South where it takes into consideration the Memorandum of Understanding concerning cross border cooperation signed on November 11th, 2006.
From the inception of the International Track and Field Meet in 2012, the Territorial Collectivity and Country St. Maarten had decided to collaborate with the Foundation for Limitless Cooperation and Speedy Plus to host this major event.
The meet was also designed to showcase our tourist and sporting assets where 133 local and regional athletes while approximately 50 international athletes competed. With the lineup of Regional and International athletes, this International Track & Field Meet gave the athletes of St. Maarten/St. Martin the opportunity to evaluate their performances against other top athletes in the world; whilst at the same time, the opportunity to experience the perspective of an event on their own home ground of an international caliber.
"As the world is in full transformation and today sports are a vector for positive change, it educates, revitalizes and inspires. It is truly a driving force for local, economic and social development and for communication. With this in mind, Speedy Plus has demonstrated with its athletes that everything is possible," Minister Jacobs said.
The vision of Speedy Plus to shine at all events they participate in; to promote the island; to prepare coaches for top level; to contribute to the integration of our young people and to ensure the school success of our young sports people has been endorsed by the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports.
"It is important for us to do everything within our power to take the lead and develop the reputation of our island via top-level sportsmen and sports women, so that they can be role models. Let us give our young people the possibility to develop their full potential through sports," Minister of Sports Hon. Silveria Jacobs pointed out.
Gratitude and appreciation goes out to the organizing committee of the event namely, President of the Speedy Plus Club Calvin Bryan and Leona Marlin of the Foundation for Limitless Cooperation, their affiliate on the Dutch side of the Island.
A heartfelt 'Thank you' also goes out to the many other persons who have been instrumental in making this possible; along with TelEm, Guavaberry, and Nagico. Thanks also go out to all the athletes, international, regional and local. They showcased a high caliber of athleticism and sportsman like behavior, Minister Silveria Jacobs said on Monday.
