“If you have a goal, achieve it,” says 2018 NSC Junior Sportswoman of the year
─ Rose Jr., Edghill also cops top awards
By Isaiah Braithwaite
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, May 18, 2019
“Keep on trying, do not let anyone keep you down. If you believe that you can do something, go for it. Do not let anyone try to take that goal away from you. If you have a goal, achieve it.” Those were the words of the National Sports Commission’s 2018 Junior Sportswoman of the year, Priyanna Ramdhani, urging young girls to push on and achieve their goals.
The outstanding badminton player, who had an exceptional 2018 season, received the prestigious award at the NSC’s annual Awards and Dinner reception, held at the Pegasus Hotel. During 2018, Ramdhani ranked among the top South American and Caribbean players. The young lady also dominated the Caribbean Regional Youth championships in Suriname, winning five gold medals. She also copped two silver and one bronze at the Caribbean International Senior Championships also held in Suriname.
Ramdhani said “it feels really good to win the award and being able to show everyone that girls in sports can do it.” Recounting the year she had in 2018, she said: “The best part was when I got second in the open Senior Championship which developed my ranking points really high and I am really proud of it.”
According to the stellar athlete, the goal for 2019 is to break into the top 50 in the Badminton World Federation junior rankings. She currently sits at 106.
Basketball prodigy, Stanton Rose Jr. and Table Tennis champion girl, Chelsea Edghill were named Senior Sportsman and Woman respectively.
Rose Jr. created history after leading Guyana to its maiden senior Caribbean basketball title, captaining the side to an unbeaten run in Suriname. Rose Jr., also the youngest player to captain the team, copped the Most Valuable Player award at the championship.
Edghill in 2018, dominated the Under-21 category at the Senior Caribbean Table Tennis Championships in Jamaica, copping a gold medal for Guyana. The young lady was a force to be reckoned with as she also won the College National Districts Competition, placed second at College National Regional Competition in the United States, along with being a quarter-finalist at the South American Games.
Minister of Social Cohesion, with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. George Norton said that the commitment of the athletes has placed the world on notice that Guyana is a force to be reckoned. The minister said that to ensure that Guyanese athletes continue to raise their standards and dominate international competitions, the government will play its role in providing what is necessary.
“The government is using this annual award ceremony as a means of celebrating you. We thank you for all the hard work and dedication that each and every one of you have exhibited in the past, and we look forward to supporting your growth” Minister Norton underscored.
Below is the full list of awardees:
Sportsman-of-the-Year (PWD)- Annson Forde
Sportswoman-of-the-Year (PWD)- Davena Nauth
Female Sports Official- Dr. Karen Pilgrim
Male Sports Official- Franklin Wilson
Female Coach- Shelly Daly-Ramdyhan
Male Coach- Junior Hercules
Female Sports Personality– Kathy Ten-Pow (Mothers in Motor-racing)
Male Sports Personality- Ramesh Sunich
Most Improved Association– Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation
Association-of-the-Year- Guyana Football Federation
Junior Sportsman– Shomari Wiltshire
Junior Sportswoman– Priyanna Ramdhani
Senior Sportsman– Stanton Rose Jr.
Senior Sportswoman– Chelsea Edghill
Team-of-the-Year– Senior Male Basketball team
Journalist (Online)- Akeem Greene
Journalist (TV)- Eric Collymore
Journalist (Print)– Calvin Chapman
Special Awards were also given to Bhaskar Yadram, Shemar Britton, Walter Grant-Stuart, Theresa Pemberton, Allister Munroe and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Images: Giovanni Gajie.