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Volume No. 1 Issue No. 71 - Wednesday August 03, 2005 |
Soccer Tournament a Resounding Success by Thomson Fontaine
The recently completed International Soccer and Youth Tournament was a great victory for Dominica and for the many people locally and in the Diaspora who continue to share a common vision of what Dominica can become.
I was privileged to participate during the first week of the tournament, and to witness firsthand the thousands of Dominicans who showed up every night to see the dozens of players from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, and Dominica.
The tournament successfully returned to Dominica dozens of young men of Dominican parentage who currently reside overseas. The experience was a wonderful blend of sports and immersion in the delightful Dominica culture. Scores of young visitors will leave Dominica with fond memories of a beautiful place, wonderful people, great sports, and a committed group of people who are determined to do what they must to promote and lift our beautiful island. At the end of the tournament, Team Dominica comprising members of the under-18 National Team were the declared winners.
The staging of this historic event was undertaken under the capable eldership of the Dominica Academy of Arts and Sciences (DAAS) president Dr. Clayton Shillinford. It was inspired by the vision of Avonelle Christian and wonderfully executed by persons such as Vincent John of the Dominica United Kingdom Association (DUKA), Lorraine Delsol from Canada, Norma Fontaine, Don Leogal, Hilda Kelshall, Andrew Armour, and the beautiful people of Dominica. Several DAAS members contributed cash, time and effort to bring the tournament to a wonderful conclusion.
In the end, it was well worth the effort and the sacrifice. Dominica is the real winner, and the DAAS workers among us continue to have my unfailing respect! We can now look to expanding the tournament to the neighboring Caribbean countries and continuing to focus our attention on the countless numbers of young people for which Dominica is part of their consider red legacy.
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