Youth achievement

The team returned home with its best-ever haul of medals, a feat that was undoubtedly due to the spirit of unity and discipline that pervaded. That spirit is an example all of us should seek to emulate.

Our contingent’s achievement is all the more special given the fact that this year’s competition was the largest ever in the history of the games. More than 1,300 young athletes, coaches and supporters participated in events on the island of New Providence. More than 70 nations were involved and over 90 medals were up for grabs.

Organisers even expanded competition for the first time to include judo, beach soccer and beach volleyball.

Particular praise must be bestowed on all of our medallists.

Namely, Adell Colthrust (boys 100 metres) and the girls beach soccer team who won gold; Tyriq Horsford (boys javelin) and the boys beach soccer team who earned silver; and swimmer Jeron Thompson (boys 50m freestyle) who copped bronze.

But it is not only the medallists who deserve plaudits. We were also ably represented in tennis, beach volleyball, boxing, cycling, judo and rugby sevens. As assistant chef de mission George Commissiong stated, the barometer of a team’s performance is not the final medal count.

“While we gather to celebrate the medals, I want to remind us all that while medals are important it does not always reflect all that has taken place,” Commissiong said. “Medal performance does not necessarily reflect the growth and development that has taken place, the things learnt and the experience acquired by the athletes.

It does not reflect the enthusiasm, commitment, effort made by all athletes, those who won medals and otherwise. It does not reflect the commitment of the support team, medical team, coaches and administrators.

Perhaps last but not least, it does not reflect the camaraderie, team spirit and bonding that have taken place over the last nine days.” This spirit and commitment is something needed in all walks of life, no matter what our age. Though school is out, the team has given us all a good lesson.

Our performance in the Bahamas is a good indicator that our prospects at the 2020 Olympics and beyond are good.

If we are to meet our goal of 10 gold medals by 2024, we must continue to nurture talent and to allow our youth to gain as much competitive experience at possible. The Commonwealth Youth Games was a good forum for this, allowing our youngsters to dip their toes in the water at an international level.

But as suggested by Commissiong, the value of these sporting events is not limited to medal tallies.

With so many challenges facing our nation, it is important to remember the positive aspects of our society and to single out those who serve the national interest in whatever way. Sportsmen and sportswomen – of whatever age – do our nation a tremendous service.

They represent us on the international stage. They are ambassadors.

But they also remind us of our own potential, of the unlimited nature of human achievement.

It is this sense of possibility that energises all who participate in sports, whether athlete or observer.

Most importantly, however, sports unite us and remind us of the joy we all kindle within each other.

So to our team, we salute you.