PHILIPSBURG – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs extended condolences to the family, friends, teammates and loved ones of Zahir Edwards, who passed away on Wednesday, May 11, after collapsing while playing basketball, his lifelong dream, at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium.
The Ministry also sent out appreciation to Coach Paul Bell, who was on hand to initiate CPR whilst waiting for paramedics. The outpouring of support for the family is also greatly appreciated.
“This is indeed a tough blow for the family, loved ones, basketball, and the community of St. Maarten to understand. The sudden loss of an aspiring professional athlete in the prime of his development is difficult to accept, but we must look at the positive contribution he made to the sport and how he served as a positive role model to his peers and will continue to be for years. In time we will be happy that his short life did have purpose,” Jacobs said in a statement.
“Zahir will always be remembered as a great young man, well loved and respected, an excellent student and athlete with an exemplary attitude, who positively impacted everyone who met him. We stand in support of the family during this time of grief. May his soul rest in eternal peace and may his light shine on as athlete beacon to our youth around the island!” she concluded.
