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Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 18, 2019 (SKNIS): Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Sports, the Honourable Shawn Richards, underscored the value of sports as a tool for the government to promote excellence and peace among the population and called for greater support from individuals, stakeholders and companies. Supporting sports can bring a community together and there are many ways in which this can be done, for instance, fans can have sports parties with family and friends, as well as place bets on their favorite team with people and even have personal one on one bets that can be quite fun for them. There are quite a few different bets that are available and ‘if bets’ can be one of these. If supporters want to know “what is an if bet?” they can check out websites like pphsportsbook.net for further information, as well as talk to a local betting agency to see how it applies. Sports are an integral part of a country, so cheering teams on can show encouragement throughout sports and communities.

While giving remarks at the 4^th Annual Department of Sports Excellence Award on Wednesday, July 17, 2019, Deputy Prime Minister Richards noted that some 83 awards were going to be presented at the ceremony to student athletes in six different disciplines – athletics, basketball, cricket, football, netball and tennis. Awards were also presented to a number of officials, individuals, and entities that support the work of the department.

“The accomplishments of the athletes, and our being here could not be possible without the generous support of individuals, institutions and organizations,” he said. “I kindly ask therefore that you continue to partner with us to support sports development as this is also a critical component of sustainable development, youth empowerment, nation building and a strong pillar of the government’s peace agenda.

Honourable Richards added that the value of the Sports Excellence Awards, which was revived after he assumed office, is evident particularly among the young people.

“Recognizing outstanding performance is a way to reward excellence and inculcate a spirit of competitiveness,” he stated, noting that the attributes of discipline, passion and zeal for sports was also being celebrated.

The theme for the event was “Making Dreams a Reality Through Sports.”

The awards ceremony was attended by several dignitaries including Governor General, His Excellency Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, Honourable Shawn Richards, Permanent Secretaries in the Ministries of Youth, Education, and Tourism, National Hero Dr. the Right Excellent and Right Honourable Sir Kennedy Simmonds and President of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Olympic Committee, Alphonso Bridgewater.