Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer
Prime Minister the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer and Hon. Dr. Quinn-Leandro, the substantive Minister responsible for Sports in Antigua and Barbuda sent messages of congratulations to the National Football team on their victory on Friday night, November 11, 2011, against Haiti in a FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.
In front of an estimated over ten thousand Antiguans and Barbudans at the Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium, said to be the largest crowd at any sporting event in Antigua and Barbuda in recent history, the Antigua and Barbuda team scored the lone goal of the game to advance to the Semi-Finals in Group A where they will meet Jamaica, Guatemala and the USA in June of 2012.
“Congratulations to Team Antigua Barbuda. You have made every man, woman and child in Antigua and Barbuda exceedingly proud and I am personally exceptionally elated. There is no stopping now from further creating history,” said Prime Minister Spencer who was on hand with the thousands of nationals and residents at the converted Cricket Stadium named after Antigua and Barbuda National Hero Sir Vivian Richards.
Dr. Quinn-Leandro, was also among the thousands of Antiguans and Barbudans who witnessed the game. She immediately sent a text message of congratulations to her constituent Kerry Skepple after he placed the ball firmly in the back of the net, eight minutes before close of play to give Antigua and Barbuda the historic victory.
“Congrats Kerry! Antigua and Barbuda loves you. We are indebted to you. God has blessed you with a special talent and you have honed your skills to bring us to this historic moment. Your performance was simply brilliant! May God continue to bless you richly,” the Minister’s message to Skepple reads.
The country’s leader also congratulated the goal scorer striker Kerry “Arab” Skepple noting that his superb delivery into the back of the net propelled Antigua and Barbuda into the History books, the first time the team is advancing to a FIFA Semi-Finals round.
“…This type of exposure for our country is more than any tourism promotion dollar can bring to our nation at a time when our economy is struggling from the effects of a global recession,” said Prime Minister Spencer.
The country’s leader also had words of congratulations and appreciation to the thousands of nationals and residents who heeded the call to come out and support the football team. This he said is a demonstration that Antiguans and Barbudans can rise to the occasion when called upon to act in the interest of our nation. “
“Our support for the team I am sure boosted their confidence and resulted in victory,” while also congratulating the management and coaching staff who worked tirelessly in preparing the team for the Haiti match. Much harder work is ahead of you, but all of Antigua and Barbuda stands ready to give you the moral support needed,” said Prime Minister Spencer.
Antigua and Barbuda amassed 15 points in Group F having played and won five matches. The other teams in Group F are Haiti, Curacao and the US Virgin Islands.
