BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - MEMBERS of the National Assembly of St. Kitts and Nevis have acknowledged the recent achievement of West Indian opening batsman Kieran Powell of Nevis.
It was only last week that Powell became the ninth West Indian and the first Leeward Islander to score a century in both innings of a test match, and was hailed by Parliamentarians as a role model for young athletes of the twin-island Federation.
In the closing stages of Parliament Wednesday (Nov. 21), Minister of Sports Hon. Glenn Phillip congratulated the Nevisian on joining the elite West Indian cricketer who have achieved that feat.
Phillip said that this is the clearest indication yet that Powell has ascribed for himself iconic status in West Indies cricket.
He said that those who have followed his career from junior level would note that he is not unaccustomed to scoring centuries.
“Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the Government and the Ministry of Sports, I would like to wish Mr. Powell continued success,” Phillip said.
Leader of the Federal Opposition Hon. Mark Brantley followed Phillip in his commendation of Powell, who he claims lives in his Constituency, and took responsibility for his achievement.
He added that it is a phenomenal feat and hoped that Powell continues to grow from strength to strength and carry on to become one of the greats of the game, citing to the young man's talent and stating he has that Nevisian fortitude that is so much a part of the people.
Brantley also said that he is running out of fingers to count the amount of West Indian cricketers who hailed from Nevis and stated he hopes one could eventually come from St. Kitts.
“I would want to join the Honorable Member for Number Four in congratulating Kieran Powell and wish him all the very best and continued success. When he walks out there he walks with us on his shoulders where ever he may go, and I like when our young people do well and I would like to associate myself with that," he said.
In his comment, Leader of the Concerned Citizen’s Movement Hon. Vance Amory said that the Federation should be proud of what Kieran has accomplish and hoped that it is a sign of greater things to come, not only for himself but for the West Indies team.
“I think the West Indies team now has someone who seems to be willing and able at that young age to show what it means to fight,” Amory said.
He added that Powell has that capacity, together with the other member s of the team, to assemble some dignity to the West Indies and proceeded to congratulate him, the team and his parents.
Attorney General Hon. Patrice Nisbett reminded his counterparts of the Stanford Twenty/20 match in 2007 when 16-year-old Powell at that time blasted the very first ball he faced in the tournament for six runs in the match against St. Kitts.
Nisbett said at that time Powell seemed to say to the world, "Here am I."
Nisbett added: “I believe from then he has grown from strength to strength. He was able to make it into the West Indies team following in the line of players from Nevis who have worn West Indies colors. I would want to take this opportunity to congratulate Kieran’s parents, especially the Hon. Carlisle Powell, Junior Minister in the Nevis Island Administration, for the contribution and the investment he has made in his son.”
He also urged the Federation’s youth to use Powell’s accomplishments as a model, and that if they try hard they could achieve various heights.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor also commented on the achievement, describing it as a proud moment for Kittitians and particular Nevisians, whom he said should be beaming with pride, and added his share in their pride and joy.
He went on to describe the achievement as phenomenal for the young man.
Condor then made reference to Powell’s age and said that the kind of temperament he has shown is commendable and believes that is why Kittitians have not broken through because they are not showing the application.
Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas also commended Powell’s family, friends, associates and those who have supported him.
He said that just last week he had the opportunity to lunch with the new CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board, Michael Muirhead, and was pleased with the things he heard with regard to the development of cricket in St. Kitts and Nevis.
He also said that lighting might have to be provided at Warner Park so that it could be a venue for upcoming matches, Twenty/20 in particular.
“As a proud Kittitian/Nevisian, we hail the success of this young man,” Douglas said.
Hon. Eugene Hamilton stated that Powell has proven to young people that with application they could accomplish anything. He noted that there is also something in the structure of the cricket in Nevis that give them the ability to produce this many top cricketers, and that St. Kitts may have to emulate.
“I want to congratulate him, and encourage him as a youngster to continue doing what he is doing and let his talent shine,” he added,
Just hours after receiving the commendation from the Parliamentarians, Powell took to the crease for the West Indies team but only managed to score 13 runs.
