COLE BAY—Mixed Martial Arts specialist Melissa Bardfield and cricketer Keacy Carty were respectively named female and male Athletes of the Year at the 2nd Annual Brown Pelican Sports Awards held in Port de Plaisance Sunday evening.
Melissa and Keacy’s father Keith (in Keacy’s absence) were presented with their awards by the Minister of Sports, Education, Youth and Culture, the Hon. Silveria Jacobs, as the ceremony drew to a close. 
“To all you young athletes out there I want you to take sport very seriously. Keacy does, and you can too,” Keith told the audience.
Said Melissa on receiving her award: “One thing that we all have in commom is that each sport doesn’t just teach motor skills and coordination; Kids are learning discipline and respect and they are learning how to learn. A softball coach once said: coachable kids become employable adults.
“This island has an incredible amount of talent and untapped potential,” she added. “We have kids here who can be future Olympians and champions. We owe it to keep giving these kids the opportunity to compete, to grow and shine.”
Minister Jacobs said she was delighted that female sport s are continuing to grow in St. Maarten.
“Female athletes are getting the recognition they deserve and more organisations are making sure that we have female competitions. That deserves an applause,” she said. The uplifting evening honoured the many athletes who have excelled in their chosen sports all year round, at home and abroad. This year it was decided to honour football legends of whom five were recognised for their longevity and achievements.
The Best Sport Sponsor went to Nagico and Best Sporting Innovation to Fittest on the Rock, the award for the latter presented by PJD2 and Radio 102.7FM’s Lady Grace.
Well known multi-sports shop Tri Sport was voted Best Sports Organisation for their professionalism in organising many events. The award was presented to Tri Sport owner Susy Maidwell Piscione by Dimitri Beauperthuy.
Tri Sport kept it in the family with employee and cyclist extraordinaire Dean Hodge Jr receiving the Young Ambassador award. Of the 2,500 votes in this category, 60 per cent went to Dean Hodge. The award was presented by Secretary- General of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Jorien Wuite.
Dean accepted the award with a simple message….”please share the road”, a reminder of how dangerous the roads are for cyclists.
As a Young Ambassador Dean’s job will be to inspire others, visit schools, inform and encourage participation in sports, and sign an anti-doping pledge.
The Best Sporting School category award went to St. Maarten Academy presented by 2016 Road March winner Rumari “King Rumer” Rogers. Accepting the award was Armande Teurnis.
Keith Carty was called up to the podium a second time to accept the International Ambasssador Award on behalf of his son Keacy. The award was presented by the 2015 Ambassador Yoly Hawley.
Legendary champion Kick boxer Marco London was named Sports Icon, his award presented by Daniel Berry from the National Sports Institute.
“I’m greatly honoured to receive this award,” said London. “We do sports for love but you can’t do it all by yourself as it takes sponsors, financial commitments, help from outside, people who willing to train with you. When you become an icon, don’t stay an icon….create more icons.”
The Best Coach award went to Edsel Romney from the St. Maarten Cycling Federation presented by 2016 Calypso Monarch “Queen Shakiya”.
“I want to thank my kids for letting me turn my house into a training camp,’ Edsel joked.
Best Overall Team award went to Crossfit SXM. Receiving the award from PJD2 radio personality Joanne Lewis was Coach Dwight Williams.
Following the intermission, there was a performance from two of the 2016 Telcell breakthrough winners, rapper Leo Alexander and Keshawn Hodge.
During the evening football legends were honoured with awards. The recipients were Irving Esdaille, Ernie Rombley, John Pierre Roumou, Austin Brooks, and the 11 Brothers football team. Five of the Brothers team were present and introduced themselves to the audience.
The evening was emceed by King Vers.
