Caricom Secretary General Edward Carrington (right) managed to bring a blush to the face of world champion Gwendolyn O'Neil at the secretariat yesterday. (Photo by Lawrence Fanfair)
Gwendolyn O'Neil's winning of the Women's International Boxing Association light heavyweight title is being hailed by Caricom Secretary-General, Edwin Carrington as an indication that people of the community can compete among the best in the world.
Carrington made the comment during a simple ceremony held at his office yesterday where he took the opportunity to present the champion with tokens of appreciation for her defeating Kathy Rivers just over a week ago.
"It demonstrates our capacity to lead in just about every possible field. We have led for a long time in cricket. We have led in athletics. We have led in male championship boxing and now we have in female boxing," the Secretary-General said.
"Now it seems to me that it's a demonstration to our females, as well as the community at large, that there are no limits to our achievement capacity. We can get to the very top and Gwendolyn has shown us that and we are very proud of her," Carrington said. In response O'Neil, who was congratulated by a steady trickle of staff, said that she was honoured by the secretariat's gesture which has motivated her.
"I never forgot what he [Carrington] told me," the world champion said. "He said that he would not be in the country [to witness the fight] but he would be rooting for me."
`The Stealth Bomber' created history when she became the first Guyanese to win a world title at home following a bruising encounter with the American-born Rivers at the National Park. Also present at the ceremony was Caricom's Director of Finance and Administration, Desmond Alfred.