UPP Wants Bigger Recognition for Team Antigua Island Girls

There is a call for the government to adopt a more innovative approach to acknowledging the accomplishments of Team Antigua Island Girls.

The team has recently returned to the island after successfully rowing across the Pacific Ocean.

Spokesperson for the United Progressive Party, Damani Tabor, believes that the government should take more action in recognizing and supporting the efforts of Christal Clashing, Samara Emanuel, and Kevinia Francis.

“I want to call upon the government to give them the recognition and support that they truly deserve, and the national honor at this point is not going to cut it. This government has missed several opportunities to position these young women as national athletes; for example, they were not traveling on official passports.

“They did this for charity where that charity is establishing a home for risks girls, and they deserve economic support they have had significant costs; they have had to fundraise privately, and the government should be looking to give them some sort of lump sum to help them defray the cost and to prepare for the future endeavor,” Tabor said.

The government has agreed that the girls will receive National Honors Committee for recognition. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has also provided $25k to the girl’s efforts

The team of all-female rowers courageously tackled a grueling 2,800-nautical mile stretch of the Pacific Ocean, showcasing their endurance, intelligence, and athletic prowess.

This extraordinary feat, known as the ‘world’s toughest row,’ was completed in a remarkable 41 days, seven hours, and five minutes.

Throughout their journey from California to Hawaii, their progress was closely followed by citizens across the nation.

These three individuals, alongside Elvira Bell, had previously achieved the remarkable feat of rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in 2018.

This challenging journey covered over 3,000 miles of open water from the Canary Islands to Antigua.