The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports on Wednesday evening celebrated the achievement of Dominican sporting personalities for the year 2012 during the 7th Annual National Sports Awards ceremony which took place at the Fort Young Hotel.
Of the several men and women recognized Shane Shillingford and Luan Gabriel walked away with the sportsman and sportswoman of the year awards respectively.
Sports Coordinator Trevor Shillingford in recapping the sporting achievements for the year 2012 said there is much to be proud about.
“We can speak proudly of the achievements of a number of individuals who performed admirably. Shane Shillingford’s feat verses the Australians were a brilliant display on home ground. He became the first West Indian spinner in more than forty years to capture ten wickets in a test match,” recalled Shillingford.
He said Luan Gabriel’s performance at the 2012 CARIFTA games must be mentioned as she was able to capture the country’s first gold medal in the sprint event at these games”. He said, “In the process she defeated a Jamaican sprint athlete”
Other outstanding sports personalities recognized for the year 2012 included Shanny Angol of the Pierre Charles Secondary school who captured a gold medal in javelin at the recent CARIFTA games and Brendon Williams for his achievements in track and field.
“The bronze medal performance of Shanny Angol in the Javelin must be mentioned,” Shillingford stressed. “We had special performances from Brendon Williams who maintained his position as a top high jumper by placing first in the high jump event at the O.E.C.S Invitational in St.Kitts”.
In addition Shillingford said, “the Dominica Under 13 cricket team performed well at the regional under 13 Festival in St.Kitts, placing second to Barbados with Dominican players collecting the majority of the awards at stake”.
Shillingford continued that “Dominican Jalani Robinson captained the Windward Islands under 19 cricket team to winning the West Indies 50 overs championship”.
Other highlights for the year 2012 according to the sports official “included the achievement of Dominica’s female Volley ball team which topped their group in the FIBB World Championship qualifiers”.
Meanwhile track and field most valuable player, female youth athlete of the year and 2012 sports woman of the year Luan Gabriel who dominated the awards on Wednesday feels honored to have been recognized at a national level for her sporting achievements.
“I would like to thank God for giving me this great talent and for allowing me to receive this award this evening. Secondly I would like to say thanks to everyone who has contributed to my development in the year of 2012,” she said.
She went on further to speak about challenges faced due to the fact that she is now a fifth form student preparing for CXC Examinations. Luan however promised to continue to work hard.
“This year 2013 has been quite challenging for me because presently I am in fifth form so it’s kind of a battle for me however I am still persevering and I will continue to work hard to make my country proud,” remarked Gabriel.
Gabriel, a student of the Isaiah Thomas Secondary school, dedicated the Female youth athlete of the year award to her past and present coaches.
Meanwhile Dominica’s Goodwill Ambassador Shane Shillingford is the 2012 Sports Man of the year and also the MVP Cricketer of the year.
In 2012 Shillingford broke a 40-year-old record set by Lance Gibbs when he took 10 wickets for 196 runs in 66.5 overs at the West Indies vs Australian test match at the Windsor Park Stadium.
He also emerged as the leading wicket taker for the Windward Island in both the Senior Tournament and the WIN Lotto Tournament and as the premier Spinner in the regional West Indies competition, taking 15 wickets in a match against Barbados.
In congratulating the several award recipients Minister responsible for Sports Hon. Justina Charles said the sports awards ceremony is a tangible way of recognizing the efforts of the island’s sports men and women.
“As Government we are no way going to be able to compensate you for your true commitment towards sports and your country’s development; however we believe that it is important to pause along the way to say thanks to you in tangible ways,” she said.
“This awards ceremony,” the minister noted. “Is one of the ways that the Government of Dominica continues to say thanks to our outstanding sports men and women”.
The sports Minister during her address took time to salute the two fallen footballers, Kurt Hector and Norran Jno Hope from La Plaine who died in a tragic accident in Pond Case three weeks ago.
“These two footballers perished in the early hours of Friday the 19th of April on their way to the airport en route to St.Vincent to represent Dominica in the sport they loved. I want to use this occasion to say again to their family that we share your pain and urge you to find comfort in the fact that these two men died in pursuit of what they loved,” she stated.
The two footballers will be buried on Saturday, April 4 and Minister Charles said Government has taken decisions to honor their service to country in several ways.
“The Government has committed itself to providing financial assistance for the burial of these two men. The awarding of two scholarships on in the name of Kirt Hector and the other in the name of Norran Jno-Hope. These scholarships will be awarded to two young persons who are outstanding in both sports and academics. Another scholarship will also be awarded to the daughter of Kurt to complete her studies at the Dominica State College,” informed Minister Charles.
The Minister also announced that the Government has already taken the decision to rename the refurbished playing field in La Plaine after the two young men to ensure that their legacy live on in their home community.
Meanwhile in recognition of Shane Shillingford’s achievement, Minister Charles announced that Government will donate a portion of land at Hillsborough to the West Indies spin bowler.
The sports awards ceremony was held under the theme: Honoring Efforts- Urging greater performances.
Boy I took Shane for a woman. I wonder why he looks so angry.
Congrats and two well deserving awards…. I don’t care so much for that pic of Shane and how Sim watching him either….
DNO, I respect your professionalism and your desire to always feed your audience with information; however, I do not understand why this one is “Breaking News.” To me breaking news would have more to do with something shocking, surprising, or even unexpected. In this case no one is surprised that Shane is named sportsman of the year in Dominica. We all expected that. I mean 20 wkts in two tests where he was named man of the match in both tests and man of the series, he really sealed his award right there. If he is named Cricketer of the year by ICC then that would be worth of “Breaking News.”
What really surprised me is to see president of Dominica handing a bag top Shane. You mean a bag! The way they have been going out of their way and out of style to ensure that former sportsmen who are now dead are honored, I expected Shane to be awarded in a similar manner since he is still here to see how we appreciate him. Makes no sense to show love to the dead while you disregard the living. That to me is pure hypocrisy!
Does that look like the President of Dominica to you? The individual in the photo is Hon. Ambrose George, as the caption beneath the photo states. The “Bag” you refer to I suppose is a company’s gesture towards prizegiving which associations and other people request of the private sector. I believe that rather than criticise the receipt of a :bag”, you should applaud the response by a corporate citizen to come up with a prize.
That said, where is your “trophy” or “plaque” orwhatever else to honour the young man’s achievements? We are much too quick to criticise. You could have left out the second paragraph altogether.
@ nurse, thanks for the correction. I did not even realize I referred to him as the president. I was just thinking of President William.
Why are you taking this so personal nurse? FYI nurse, I did not criticize the bag. What I simply said was, since they (Government) is so busy trying to give flowers to the dead by renaming things after them, why not bestow such award on a living national hero? Does that burn you nurse? If it did then cure your bobo because you are the nurse.
Here goes stupidity at its best!! Typical Dominican!
The bag represented one of many awards he received on that evening which incuded monetary awards from both government and petro cairbe,awards from Lime,fort young hotel,springfield trading and a portion of land was also announced during the ministers address
Congratulations All
Congrats to Luan and Shane ..representing twin communities of Dublanc and Bioche.
Breaking news??????? why is this breaking news? Yes it is something good for the athletes but I cant understand why it is breaking news at all
Congrats to Both Shane and Luan. I am disappointed in shane. Hope Shane doesn’t think he is bigger than the sport f cricket. Shane got two awards. Cricketer of the year and Sports man of the year (which is the biggest of all awards) Shane should have atleast gone to the mic and thank his supporters . Shane said not a word. Shane these awards are too small for to compare? Don’t forget that’s where you started and you must never forget where you coming from my bother.
I was listening on the radio and i am disappointed also. our sporting hero . Shane is the most popular and successful sports personality in Dominica and not even a thank you to the Dominican people for our support. Shame on you shane.
Shaneyyy doudou, why you look so angry? Where is the pleasant face, smile? You are the recipient of a very prestigious award, sports man of the year. Where the happy face? Anyway, congratulation to you. Lauan congratulation to you too Cherie.
congrats to Shane and Luan . you deserve it
Luan looking real hot in that pic
is the Minister of sports an African??
Congratulations guys.
We are all AfricanDominican
Lol. I was thinking the same thing!!
its about a woman making her self look very sweet keep it up
Yes
Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!
I think she looks good -very good. And congrats to Shane and Luan. The these awards are well deserving you both have indeed made us proud
Honestyly?
And it’s not honestly do you not know the answer to this?
It’s HONESTLY, do you have to go there?
i was thinking the same thing
So Shane got land , Luan could not get land too ?
Congratulations to Shane and Luan.
SURPRISE!!!!! I don’t think anyone is. Since most Dominicans are either sitting on poor Sisserou’s chest suffocating(no anesthesia)in pain, bleeding her to death or depending on those elected to keeping her from sinking.
mmmmmm, my my
Had to find something negative to say, didn’t you? I guess that’s your contribution to to Sisserou.
You have to be from Marigot.
WELL DESERVED!!!!!!Congrats Shane!
Bowl Barbados out cheaply tomorrow. You are the best in the longer version of the game that we have in the West Indies presently.
Congratulations!!!! to Shane,and Luan,well deserved,also to all the others who were nominated,we are proud of you all. Biger and better things to come continue to make Dominica proud.
congrats to lauan what a please breaking news for the community of Bioche .keep it up my girl
Congratulations my boy Shane you have continue to make Dublanc proud keep up the good works you have the entire support of your community bigggggggggggggg uppppppppppppppppppp brotherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr