NASSAU, Bahamas, Nov. 8, 2022 — Maryann Higgs-Clarke, the first Bahamian CARIFTA athlete to win the Austin Sealy Award for The Bahamas in 1978, on Monday, November 7, was crowned the LOC Honorary Mother of CARIFTA for the 50th CARIFTA Games 2023.
Born December 24, 1962, Higgs-Clarke attended St. Augustine’s College from 1974-1980, where she established herself as one of the top track and field athletes in The Bahamas and the Caribbean region. She participated in the CARIFTA Games, established in 1972, from 1974 to 1981, winning numerous gold and silver medals.
The event was attended by the Hon. Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development and MP for West End and Bimini; Lynden Maycock, CARIFTA Local Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer; Drumeco Archer, President of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA); Enesca Smith, Chief Operations Officer (COO) for Title Partner for the CARIFTA Games 2023, Oaktree Medical Center; and numerous well-wishers.
BAAA President Archer thanked Mrs. Higgs-Clarke for setting an example for many athletes to follow and carrying the hopes of the country as she gave her all on the track for the country and her love of the sport.
“It was a time in track and field when women emerged in this sport. She set the tone for women who followed her. This is a celebration of equity and women in track and field and you are certainly the mother of track and field,” Mr. Archer said.
Congratulations and a show of appreciation were also given by the Oaktree Medical Center Team, Title Partner for the 50th CARIFTA Games. The Oaktree Medical Center, which is led by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Don Deveaux and CEO Mrs. Kristi Deveaux, contributed $300,000 towards the success of the upcoming CARIFTA 2023 Games.
Pauline Davis-Thompson, the LOC Honorary Dame of CARIFTA Bahamas 2023, also thanked the Mrs. Higgs-Clarke for the example she set for her and many other athletes who followed her with passion and courage on and off the track.
Surprised by the show of appreciation, Mrs. Higgs-Clarke, exclaimed, how thankful she was for not being forgotten.
“You have raised my spirits and have made my day today,” she said. “I thought I had been forgotten.”
The 50th Carifta Games will be held in The Bahamas April 7 — 10, 2023. The Legends Walk and Official Carifta 50th opening ceremony are scheduled for Thursday, December 1, 2022. This will be precluded by an International Press Conference scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, 2022.
You can keep up-to-date with all events leading up to CARIFTA 2023 by subscribing to the website, www.carifta50.com, or following their social media pages. Persons interested in partnering with the LOC for the upcoming games, can email fhanna@locbahamas.org for more information.
