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The Hon. Glenn Blakeney, J.P., M.P., Minister of the Environment and Sports today hailed the 28th Annual Sports Awards held in Hamilton City Hall last night a resounding success.
A crowd of more than two hundred and fifty (250) people joined the Premier, Dr. the Hon. Ewart F. Brown, J.P., M.P, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and various sports governing bodies to celebrate the achievements of Bermuda’s elite sportsmen and sportswomen.
During the past year, award recipients have represented the island in various sports across the world at the highest levels, including the Beijing Olympics. The Male Athlete of the Year, James Stout, was crowned World Champion of his sport, Rackets, while Bermuda’s preminent female swimmer Kiera Aitken took the honours of Female athlete of the year having broken several records and put on a tremendous showing in the pool in China during the 2008 Summer Olympics.
Minister Blakeney said yesterday: “I would like to again offer my congratulations to all the athletes who were award recipients last night. My thanks also go to all those who ensure this event continues to be a tremendous success year after year.”
While the event was deemed a great success, it was marred by the actions of some local media, in particular the Royal Gazette, in the build up to and at the event, demonstrated that Newspaper’s continued disrespect and harassment of this Government and its elected officials.
During the reception following the awards ceremony, Royal Gazette Sports Editor Adrian Robson and another reporter sought to question Minister Blakeney while he was engaged with guests. It became apparent that the reporters wanted to question Minister Blakeney about their speculative story in the Saturday, 7th March edition of The Royal Gazette; “Cabinet deny Burch Athlete of Year Award“, in which attempts are made to cast doubt on the selection of award recipients. Minister Blakeney did not wish to comment on the story at the time yet was literally stalked and harassed by the reporters as he attempted to leave for the evening.
While attempting to exit City Hall, Royal Gazette Sports Editor Adrian Robson became verbally and even physically abusive.
Speaking about the incident yesterday, Minister Blakeney said: “The behavior of the Royal Gazette Sports Reporters was insulting, offensive and bordered on criminal assault. Sports Editor Adrian Robson physically barred my exit from the event demanding answers to his questions. While Free Speech is certainly every one’s right, so it is that every person has a right not to respond to false accusations and insinuations of political interference. I was appalled by the behavior of these reporters and will be writing to The Royal Gazette Editor asking that his reporters act with far more decorum and in a more professional manner.”
Minister Blakeney said that while the actions of the reporters were certainly unwelcome, his enjoyment of the evening was not diminished and he offered his congratulations to the athletes and thanked all those who attended and worked to make sure the event was a success.
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