Basseterre, St. Kitts - At a very impressive ceremony last evening-16th September 2010, celebrated as National Heroes day within the Federation of St.Kitts and Nevis, five Cricketers and three Netballers were duly recognized and awarded for their tremendous contributions to sports on the island of Nevis.
The presentation of the Netballers was done by Ms Vera Herbert who read brief profiles on Cresentia ‘Pipsin’ O’Flaherty—the first Nevisian Netballer to make it to the West Indies Netball team; Lydia Thompson-Claxton who not only made it to the West Indies Netball team but also captained the prestigious unit and Jeannette Grell Hull who was one of the most outstanding goal shooters in the entire Caribbean and is recognized as a Netball Administrator par excellence.
The presentation of the cricketers was done by the Chairperson of the night’s proceedings, Mr. Alsted Pemberton who presented brief profiles on Carl Tuckett, Stuart Williams, Keith Arthurton and Derick Parry –all of whom were fortunate to wear West Indies colours He also presented Livingstone Sargeant who although unfortunate not to have made the West Indies team, is known as one of the finest batsmen ever to represent Nevis, the Leeward Islands and the Combined Islands.
The crowning moment came when Premier Joseph Parry, after delivering a sterling address, indicated how the individuals will be honoured:
That stretch of Road from the top of Government Road leading down Pump Road towards the roundabout on the island main Road, will be named ‘The Carl Tuckett avenue”; That stretch of road from the top of Government Road in the opposite direction to the top of Craddock Road will be named ‘The Stuart Williams Drive’; The Cotton Ground Playing field will be named in honour of Derick Parry; The Jessups Playing field will be named in honour of Keith Arthurton and that stretch of road in Cotton Ground from Ossie’s home past the Old market place to the top of the road will be named in honour of Livingstone Sargeant.
As regards the Netballers, Lydia Thompson Claxton and Cresentia O’Flaherty will be twinned in having the main spectators’ stand at the Grell Hull-Stevens Netball Complex, named in their honour, while the players’ pavilion will now be known as the ‘Jeannette Grell Hull Players Pavilion’.
Ms Jeannette Grell Hull in thanking the Nevis Island Government for their fine gesture on behalf of the Netballers indicated that when they were making their contribution they did not expect to be honoured in such a manner but expressed sincerest gratitude. She noted that between the three Netballers, they totaled 100 years of Netball experience and joyfully exclaimed: “Unity is strength”!
Keith Arthurton was also gracious in his praise for the Nevis Island Government and spoke highly of his fellow cricketers and their exploits on the cricket field.
The program was interspersed with cultural presentations which included Leroy Parris Jr on pan; Daron Sutton on keyboards, Mrs. Patricia Hanley with a poem honouring the awardees and Ms Allison Dore who serenaded the local heroes with a rendition which brought the sizeable crowd spontaneously to their feet in loud applause.
Also receiving deserving awards, even though posthumously, were late local Politicians Eustace ‘Tessie’ Nisbett and Berlin Clarke. That stretch of road from ‘Five turning’ in Cotton Ground towards the top of the road will be named in honour of Nisbett and that stretch of road from Mrs. Myrtle Guishard’s home at Church Ground, right across to the popular ‘Bananas’ Restaurant will be named in honour of Clarke.
Krysta Liburd accepted the award on behalf of her Mom (Berlin Clarke) and Maricia Nisbett accepted on behalf of her Dad (Eustace Nisbett).
Premier Parry further indicated that it is the intention of his Government to hold the actual naming ceremonies before year end.
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HORSE RACING
Dominquero Gains Historic Victory over Obama
A fair sized crowd showed up at the Indian Castle race track to witness the National Heroes day race card. Despite a late start, the crowd was not disappointed.
After three very keen races, it came down to the final race of the day for an impressive looking trophy, an undisclosed cash prize and braggers’ rights.
Many of the betters were locking their monies on OBAMA a horse with a Presidential name and record which had never lost a race since its entrance on Nevis soil. During the last Horse race meet, it came down to a tight finish with Roosevelt Daniel’s horse, DOMINQUERO, but OBAMA edged his way to the finish line in first place.
Yesterday, both horses got out of the blocks very quickly, in fast fading light. On the back stretch it was still anybody’s game but as they came up the final hill, it was obvious that the ‘President’ was in trouble. Dominquero rushed to the finish line at least two lengths ahead of the hitherto unbeaten horse. Khenrun came in a distant third.
Roosevelt ‘Felt’ Daniel and his entire entourage were obviously elated as they jumped and hugged in celebration.
Here are the results of the other races for the day:
Race one: 1st El Avion 2nd High Spirit and 3rd Cover Girl
Race two: 1st She Devil 2nd Gottogetta Rhythm 3rd Rosman
Race three: 1st William D JR 2nd Full Breed and 3rd Sheik Sung
One of the highlights of the day was the honouring of four individuals who have made significant contributions to the sport on Nevis. These individuals were: Mr. Arthur Evelyn; Mr. Colin Claxton; Mr. Glenville ‘Sharp’ Morton and Mr. Ira Dore who was unavoidably absent. They all received very impressive looking trophies.
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Beaumont Park race card promises to be a treat
A press conference was held at the Beaumont Park Horse race facility on Friday 10th September. The proceedings were chaired by Mr. Richard Cummings-General Manager of Beaumont Park and seated at the Head table with him were: Sharez Laws –Marketing Officer for one of the main sponsors of the event, DIGICEL; Jeff Jacobs-well known Antiguan jockey; Michael Semple a well known local jockey; Neil Cochrane-President of the Antigua Turf club and Gary Smith –Director of racing at Beaumont Park.
The main agenda item was the drawing for the placements of the horses in the six races planned for the day: Sunday 19th September 2010—Independence Day. Members of the media present assisted with the pulling of the numbers. The following placements were made after the completion of the draw:
Race one: 1. Brule River 2. Rainbow Ridge 3 Spar dance 4 Frontier Sky 5 Lady J 6 Post Pattern 7 Rag time
Race two: 1 Mambo Beauty 2 Brilliant Bride 3 The Answer 4 Rum Salute 5 Chosen Well 6 Ski for Luck
7 Penta Grama 8 Reina Mia
Race three: 1 Norse Spirit 2 Port Oscar 3 Please the King 4 Our Bud 5 Jumma Girl 6 Secular 7 Tiedintwine 8 God’s Grace
Race four: 1 Mr. Big stuff 2 Al Portador 3 Murray’s Mazal 4 Vybez Cartel 5 Babosa 6 Anansi
Race Five: 1 Movado 2 American Dance 3 High wire Glory 4 Do the Wild thing 5 The chosen one 6 Osuna 7 Bad Action 8 Jack Idle
Race six: 1 Slessinger 2 American Dance 3 Blessings 4 Bad Action 5 The Chosen One 6 Time to Honour
It was noted that due to certain unforeseen reasons, that there will be no horses from Nevis down to run on Sunday
The first three races will carry a winner’s purse of $6,000.00 EC each and the latter three will each carry a winner’s purse of $20,000.00 EC.
Cochrane was extremely confident that the Antiguan horses and jockeys would be taking center stage come Sunday and even alluded to a friendly ‘bomb’ which was scheduled to land via AmeriJet at the RLB Airport later that day—his own horse.
Well known Antigua Party Monarch Tian Winter also made a surprise appearance at the press conference and enticed the small gathering with tit bits of two of his popular hit songs.
So the action will be at Beaumont Park on Sunday 19th Sepetember-Independence day. It promises to be an action filled horse race card well blended with cultural activity as Antigua and St.Kitts compete not only on the track but also on the musical stage. Artistes from St.Kitts who will be performing live are: King Konris; Nu Vybes Int; Infamus and Rolhensha, while Antigua will have Red Hot Flames; Claudia Peters and Tian Winter.
The admission for all of this activity is only $10.00 with the gates opening at 1.00 pm and the first race set to canter off at 3 pm. According to Marketing Manager Valencia Grant, musical entertainment is expected to run well after the conclusion of the races until about midnight.
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CRICKET
Nagico Donates to Nevis Cricket Association
On Tuesday 14th September, Mr. Ronald Powell-President of the Nevis Cricket Association. journeyed to St.Kitts and was presented with a ch3que of $1,600.00 by Mr. Rishi Singh, Manager of NAGICO.
Mr. Singh reiterated NAGICO”S commitment to the development of Cricket in the Leeward Islands and pledged even greater support of the Nevis Cricket Association in the future.
Powell in accepting the cheque on behalf of his Association, thanked Mr. Singh and his esteemed company for their kind gesture and indicated that the money will be utilized towards the purchase of uniforms for the Nevis team in preparation for the Leeward Islands three day tournament.
The Nevis team is in its final preparations for the upcoming NAGICO sponsored Leeward Islands one day tournament. Powell also confirmed that the fixtures originally sent out by President of the Leewards Island crickett Association Gregory Shillingford will stand as the fixtures to guide the upcoming tournament.
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Result Of Sandy Point Cricket Association Fun Day Cricket Match Played At The Sandy Point Playing Field On Thursday(Heroes Day):
Kenny Douglas X1 vs Shane Jeffers X1
Kenny Douglas X1 made 112 for 3 Off 15 Overs
Codville Rogers 35 not out, Extras 31, Akeem Saunders 20, Elworth Warner19, Larue Laplace 2 for 17, Elzandha1 Warner(12 years old) 1 for 10
Shane Jeffers X1 in Reply 86 for 7 Off 15 Overs
Captain Shane Jeffers 51, Captain Kenny Douglas 3 for 8, Akeem Saunders 1 for 10, Rasheade Rogers(12 years old) 1 for 10, Staurt Rawlins
1 for 17
Kenny Douglas X1 Won by 26 Runs
Umpires were Steadroy Techeira & Moolchand Mangra
*A second Match is planned for Sunday at the same Venue
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Mumbai stay alive after Pollard pummels Guyana
Cricinfo
Kieran Pollard played the sort of innings that has made him a multi-millionaire and the game's foremost Twenty20 freelancer to muscle Mumbai Indians to a victory that kept them alive in the Champions League. At a drizzly Kingsmead he hammered 72 off 30 to extract some revenge against Guyana, who knocked out his fancied home team Trinidad & Tobago in the semi-finals of the domestic Caribbean T20 tournament.
Mumbai seemed to have lost their way a touch after a solid 82-run opening stand between Sachin Tendulkar and Shikhar Dhawan, but the decision to push Pollard to No. 3 worked wonders. Pollard's nine sixes helped Mumbai loot 85 runs in the final five; Ambati Rayudu's contribution in a partnership of 53 was four.
Summarized scores: Mumbai Indians 184 for 4 (Pollard 72*, Tendulkar 48) beat Guyana 153 for 6 (Sarwan 46) by 31 runs
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