Hall of Famer Andruw Jones Makes Special Visit to Aruba
ORANJESTAD—Minister of Sports Gerlien Croes and Prime Minister Mike Eman recently received a special visit from former professional soccer player and Hall of Famer Andruw Jones.
During his visit, they discussed Jones' international experience and how he built a career that earned him a place in MLB history. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss how Aruba can continue to invest in sports as a powerful tool for developing talented young people.
Among the key topics discussed were
- The Andrew Jones baseball project in Curaçao, aimed at mentoring and developing young talent, providing them with structure, discipline, and direction;
- The possibility of establishing a similar initiative in Aruba, focusing on coaching, mentoring, and training young athletes;
- Opportunities for collaboration with superstars to enhance motivation and inspiration within the sports world;
- Raising awareness among young people to combine sports with studies and to view education as a crucial foundation for lasting success.
Minister Croes emphasized that the type of leadership, discipline, and international experience that Andruw Jones brings can be of great value to Aruba. According to the minister, the presence of personalities with a strong track record in international sports contributes to the motivation and guidance of our youth, especially at a time when we need more positive role models.
"The inspiration that Andruw Jones can offer is not only for the athlete who steps onto the field but also for the young person looking for direction. We must continue to create opportunities for our young people so they can develop in sports without neglecting their education," said Minister Gerlien Croes.
Minister Croes emphasized that the vision is to strengthen baseball in Aruba while simultaneously using sports as a tool for personal and professional development. For the Aruban government, sports are not just about competition but also about building character, discipline, responsibility, and a mindset for the future.
The Ministry of Sports remains committed to initiatives that promote youth and sports development and open doors for collaboration with local and regional partners so that Aruba can continue to raise its level and create more opportunities for Aruban talent.
