[dropcap]A[/dropcap]thletic stars from the various sports were out in full force Saturday evening, but undoubtedly the star among stars that evening at the Annual National Sports Awards at the Royalton St Lucia Resort and Spa was sprinter Julien Alfred.
Alfred achieved a rarity on this night, becoming not only the Junior Sportswoman of the Year abut also Sportswoman of the Year. Her crowning glory was a first place finish in the 100 metres, at the Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas.
It was a big night for The St Lucia Athletics Association who in addition to Alfred, also had another prestigious awards nominee Albert Reynolds reign supreme as Sportsman of the Year. He’s among the best in the region when it comes to competing in the javelin event.
Rounding out the prestigious awards category, promising young cricketer Kimani Melius is the Junior Sportsman of the Year. At age 17 having made the West Indies Under -19 Team, the sky’s limit for this immensely talented cricketer.
The star studded formal affair was held under the Patronage of His Excellency, Governor General, Neville Cenac in association with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.
In addition to the Governor General, special guests included, Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and his wife Raquel; Minister of Youth Development and Sports, Edmund Estephane; other cabinet ministers, members of the Senate, members of the diplomatic corps, staff of the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports, officials with the national sports federations and clubs and of course athletes being honored that evening.
Minister Estephane spoke about our growth and development as a nation and with that in mind mentioned the importance of having an economically sustainable sports industry which would require new partnership.
He paid tribute to world class high jumper Levern Spencer and said: “It has been 20 years since this magnificent personality has been involved in sports, jumping and jumping all over the world. The government through the Department of Youth Development and Sports will be hosting a special ceremony to show our gratitude to this wonderful soul on her accomplishment, for keeping our nation flag flying very high all across the globe.”
What followed next was the minister introducing Don Lockerbie who was the Managing Director Chief Operating Officer when the ICC 2007 Cricket World when it was staged in the Caribbean and is now the Managing Director of the Sports and Events Group for the Parker Company.
Lockerbie who was asked by officials here to create a national strategy for sports, gave a rather elaborate slide presentation, dealing with sports venues throughout the country incorporating swimming pools, synthetic turf fields, playgrounds, gymnasiums for boxing, tennis courts, running tracks and the granddaddy of them all – a national sports park consisting of two cricket grounds, and a new national football stadium with an athletic track. That’s just the tip of the iceberg folks.
The plan for the national strategy for sports sounds great on paper or should I say appeared great on the big screen during the slide presentation, but it remains to be seen if it ever becomes a reality. Stay tuned!
Following are the awards presented during the evening. Administrators: Velica Augustin – Basketball; David Christopher – Boxing; Roger Butcher – Rugby Digby Ambris -Tennis Coaches: Conrad Fredricks – Boxing; Alton Crafton – Cricket; Chris Dermont – Football; Garner Ted Felicien – Rugby; Arthur Scott – Shooting; Chris Wells – Table Tennis; Vernon Lewis – Tennis.
Technical Officials: Lennox Mondesir; Wayne Benti.
Community Awards: Administrator, Emmanuel Bellasse; Coach – Chris Dermont; Community – Gros Islet Football League.
Media Houses: Winners TV; Helen Television Systems (HTS); Daher Broadcasting Service (DBS); Voice Publishing Company; Star Publishing Company; The Mirror Newspaper; Vybe Radio; St Lucia Sports Online; Sports Avis; Marius Modeste, Freelance.
Sponsors: Massy United; Courts Unicomer; Windward & Leeward Brewery; Blue Waters Ltd; Massy Stores; Peter & Company.
Club of the Year: Lightning Aquatics Swim Club.
Special Olympian: Chaddy Herman.
Winning Teams: U15 National Cricket Team – Windward Islands U15 Champions in April; National Beach Soccer Team – Commonwealth Youth Games held in Bahamas.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Victor Joseph
Posthumous: Patrick Pataco Phillip; George Alfred.
