CHARLESTOWN, Nevis, July 29, 2010 - ‘Willet! Willet! Elquemedo Willet’! The words of the popular calypso done by Antigua’s Mighty Swallow constantly rang out across the old Grove Park yesterday as hundreds of cricketing enthusiasts, family members and general well wishers, all gathered to pay respect to the first Nevisian and Leeward Islander to make it into the West Indies team - Elquemedo Tonito Willet.
Willet accomplished this feat in 1973 at the tender age of 19 and many Nevisians gathered at Grove Park then to wish him every success and to laud his accomplishment. Now at age 57, he received another standing ovation at the same venue from an equally enthusiastic crowd—some 38 years later.
The program was superbly planned and coordinated by Permanent Secretary Mr. Alsted Pemberton and his team from the Ministry of Social Development and there was enough pomp and ceremony, pageantry and culture, fit for a King.
After the arrival and seating of the dignitaries, again wonderfully coordinated by the protocol Division of the Premier’s Ministry, Elquemedo Tonito Willet and his dear wife Sandrine made a grand entrance into Grove Park driven by a Police Officer in an impressive looking sports car. He was then escorted to the stage but not before passing under a sea of raised bats grandly held aloft in an impressive arch by the members of the St.Kitts and Nevis teams on hand.
Interestingly, most of the persons who performed a key part in the program would have played significant roles in the forward movement of Nevis cricket, whether on or off the field of play. G.Sydney Newton former all rounder for the Nevis team opened the batting with a solid invocation, while the National anthem was performed by little Devon Cornelius, a student at the Charlestown Primary School where Willet is a staff member.
Ms Sandra Liburd a member of the former Spartans’ club, Willet’s base club, rendered a welcome poem.
The program was ably chaired by local cricket commentator Walter Morton who set the stage for what was to come with a brief address outlining some of the feats accomplished by the great leg spinner and now Coach.
President of the Nevis Cricket Association Ronald Powell showered praise on the great man and asked the youngsters present to strive to emulate him as they progressed in their cricketing careers.
Former master batsman for Nevis and the Leeward islands, Livingstone Sargeant spoke to the mastery of Willet the spin bowler and of his superlative fielding and catching abilities.
Victor Eddy the former Kittitian and Leeward Island all rounder brought some extra pep to the ceremony with an introductory dance to Swallow’s song and with a lively presentation during which he described some of the battles he hah had with the great spin bowler. “This is the day the Lord has made—let us rejoice and be glad in it”, he said to thunderous applause.
Parliamentary representative for the constituency of ST. Paul’s, the Hon E. Robelto Hector proudly claimed the Government Road son and his achievements and noted that it was an honour truly deserved.
Minister of Sports Hon. Hensley Daniel was also high in praise for the great man and made the point of stressing that Willet paved paths for many other greats to follow.
Premier of the Nevis the Hon Joseph Parry, a natural historian, gave a historical perspective as to the significance of Willet’s achievement: He came out of an era when the people of St.Kitts and Nevis were mourning the colossal losses resulting from the sinking of the MV Christena and brought a ray of hope to the country. He also gave a vivid overview of the progress of cricket on Nevis and lauded the great man on his accomplishments.
Veteran commentator on Nevis Stevenson Manners made a superlative presentation in delivering an in-depth profile on the great man. He vividly outlined the remarkable statistics of Willet during his short stint on the West Indies team and explained that there was no logical reason why his stay was not much longer.
An impressive ten minutes video produced by Curtis Morton and Judith Dasent was shown featuring the great man.
The great man himself, humble as ever, then made his response and thanked the Nevis Island Government for the initiative and thanked all who made the day possible and all those who participated in the program . He was also high in praise for the support he has received from his sweetheart of thirty-five years, Sandrine and also his family members.
The crowning moment came when Willet assisted by Premier Parry pulled the strings to unveil the impressive new sign bearing the name: The Elquemedo T Willet Park. The sign was beautifully created by Mr. Carl Claxton and features a photograph of Willet captured by Sports Caster Curtis Morton.
The program was interspersed with some wonderful cultural presentations which included steel pan renditions from the Teachers at the Charlestown Primary school; presentations by the junior and senior masquerades; calypsoes by Bahowlah the Meek and Mighty Jo Jo—both of which went down very well with the huge crowd.
At the end of the ceremony, many persons flocked to shake hands and pose for photographs with the great man.as they waited patiently for the commencement of another clash between St.Kitts and Nevis on the field of play.
