Debbie Ferguson celebrates Commonwealth Games win (© Getty Images)
On the evening of Friday, December 27th, at the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Paradise Island, the Bahamas, the Bahamas Association celebrated their Golden Anniversary in grand style. The association was formed on May 6th in 1952 in the office of the Honourable Alfred Francis Adderley, the founding president.
The event was held under the patronage of one of the two remaining founding members, former Governor General Sir Orville Turnquest. Prime Minister Perry Christie, the first field events medallist for the Bahamas was also in attendance. Also present were the Honourable Paul L. Adderley, a former president and Government Cabinet Minister and son of the founding president, the Minister of Youth, Sports & Culture, the Honourable Neville Wisdom, the Minister of Tourism, the Honourable Obie Wilchcombe, and all except two of the remaining former presidents.
Wisdom is a former coach of Pauline Davis-Thompson, Eldece Clarke-Lewis, and Frank Rutherford.
Noted sportscaster Larry Rawson of ESPN who took time away from the cold New York City was a surprise guest.
Current BAAA president Senator Desmond Bannister was in attendance.
The association named its Athletes of the Year for 2002. Sprinter Debbie Ferguson, straight off a fantastic year in which she was named Commonwealth Female Athlete of the Year, nominated for the IAF Female Athlete of the Year, and appointed Food and Agricultural Ambassador was named both Athlete of the Year and Female Athlete of the Year. The Athlete of the Year Award is named after famed Bahamian High Jumper Charley Major.
Avard Moncur, the 2001 400m World Champion Avard Moncur was named Male Athlete of the Year.
Junior Male Athlete of the Year was Shamar Sands who won a bronze medal in the 110m Hurdles at the IAAF World Junior Championships.
Junior Female Athlete of the Year was Shandria Brown who won both 100 and 200m at the Carifta Games held in Nassau last Easter.
The Coach of the Year, receiving the Henry Crawford Award was Henry Rolle of Auburn University. Brenda Cooper was named Official of the Year receiving the Roderick Simms Award.
Basil Neymour who was the Title Sponsor of this year’s Carifta Games was named Man of the Year.
Fifty persons were singled out for special recognition for contribution to Bahamian Track and Field.
Alpheus Finlayson for the IAAF
