Dominican sports icon, Thomas Kentish, is promoting humility as a desirable attribute among sportsmen in Dominica and has hinted that contribution to country should be their most important motivator.
Kentish who, for many years, represented Dominica in both cricket and football at national and regional levels, was, on June 24, 2022, honored by the Government of Dominica when the East Stand at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium was named after him.
At the ceremony, Minister of Sports, Culture and Community Development, Roselyn Paul, said the occasion did not simply represent the naming of a stand but also provided the opportunity to honor outstanding achievements to nation-building and to say thank you and highlight the contribution of yet another exemplary citizen “who is an inspiration to many of our young sportsmen/women in Dominica.”
In October 2009, the cabinet of the government of the Commonwealth of Dominica made the decision to name stands at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium after prominent Dominicans who have contributed to the development of sports on the island, particularly cricket and football.
“In keeping with a 2009 decision, cabinet once more decided to honor this previous commitment to the legacy of outstanding sports personalities. As such, the decision was taken to name the East Stand after another son of the soil who has given and is still giving extraordinary service to our nation in the field of sports, Mr. Thomas Zephaniah Kentish, popularly known as TK,” Roselyn Paul stated.
Kentish has been part of the sporting landscape from 1973 to the present, serving sports for close to 50 years. From his youthful days onwards, he has participated in cricket at different age levels nationally and regionally as well as in the leadership position of captain.
“Following his playing days, he naturally gravitated to coaching, an attribute which was spotted in him from his playing days as he was always seen tutoring the younger team members, and providing guidance on the field to his colleagues during the matches,” Paul continued. “He’s currently employed as a coach with the ministry of Sports, Culture and Community Development.”
According to the minister, through the naming of the East Stand after Kentish, she is ensuring that his contributions to sports remain as part of Dominica’s sporting history for a lifetime and for generations to come.
Honoree, Thomas Kentish, thanked the government for naming the East Stand after him.
He said that from the beginning of his career he has always been humble and simply wanted to make a contribution to and on behalf of his country.
“I came into sports not with this in my mind; that was my gift and my talent. I just came out and represent the country with everything I had, humbly, and at the end of the day, it could inspire other young players to be humble and to represent your country whether you play football or cricket,” the veteran sportsman remarked.
Kentish deems it a privilege that his name is besides famous sportsmen whose names are also on different stands such as Irving Shillingford, Grayson Shillingford, Norbert Philip, Adam Sanford, Clem John, Kaleb Laurent, and Billy Doctrove, who he said, were his mentors and he was glad that he followed their footsteps.
He noted that although there were many times he played cricket and football and was not awarded, the most important thing was his contribution to Dominica and that’s why he says he will remain the same person he has always been.
It’s been years in coming. on behalf of (Bobet,Atto % Trini) long live. Hope to seat in pavilion sone come.
Lochart Sebastien.First clas.s career.1972 to 1989.92 matches.162 ins.Ave 32.89.5 centuries and 33 fifties. Never played test for Westindies.I agree with your take on Jeff Charles
Congratulation to Thomas Yaga TK Kentish.A stand should have been in your name a long time ago.With all the cricket I have played with,and against you over the years,never knew your name ZEPHANIAH.Peterson Bardouille must be laughing.Proud of you my friend.
Congratulations to TK. Hopefully, Lockhart Sebastian will be next. Once again I am making that important call again to please name the The Media Center at the Windsor Park Stadium, “The Jeff Charles Media Center” Jeff has been a great pioneer in both radio and sports, especially cricket, in Dominica. For those who remembered Jeff when he was residing back home back in the days enjoyed both his sensational commentaries and analyses of the game. We definitely owe it to Jeff.
People that’s our minister of sport’s , that’s why sport is dead in Dominica you have a government in power for twenty year’s and there is not one sport person in there
, a hole bunch of you know what . Ever country in the Caribbean doing better than Dominica in sport what a shame.
You are the only JAKAS here for real. Everyone has something positive to say, complementing TK but you’ll come playing your nasty UWP style who never ever sees anything good in this country. You are the real A HOLE. Shame on you.
Kid, all they do is criticize; that is because their heads are empty, their brains are under their feet.
Congrats to a true veteran and good role model. Humble yet profound in his simple way of reaching his students. Go TK go. Thank you for your contribution.
Congratulation TK you deserve your honor ,but the person who wrote the article do not know the Windsor park stadium to tell me they forgot Sir Irvin Shillingford and Sir Grayson Shillingford Stand, the first two players from Dominica to represent West Indies . I call them Sir because in Dominica you all don’t recognize your sport hero in ever other country i travel too when i get off the aircraft and walk into the terminal you would see the country sport’s icon in Dominica you see northing so who ever wrote that article correct it. Am concern sport man.
Congrats to TK. You and the others were my sporting idols. Those were the glory years
Recognition well deserved.
Congratulations to Thomas Kentish and the other honorees Norbert Philip, Adam Sanford, Clem John, Kaleb Laurent and Billy Doctrove, It is always a great act to honour our nationals who have acheived some level of excellence in their diverse fields
Congratulations to TK. You have certainly made a meaningful contribution to the quality of life and the development of Dominica. I know future generations will follow your example. Big up
Congratulations Kentish. Who would have thought that you would be so honored in such a manner? I remember you in long ago as an avid sportsman and I’m so glad that you are recognized as such after all these years. Congrats again and may God bless you and yours!!