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We are part of the answer instead of part of the problem |
34 Dumfries Road La Romaine, Trinidad, W.I Tel/Fax (868) 652-8060 |
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We are part of the answer instead of part of the problem |
34 Dumfries Road La Romaine, Trinidad, W.I Tel/Fax (868) 652-8060 |
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September 05, 2000
Citizens For A Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT), which presented Jamaica and West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh with the 1999 Republic Day Award last October, has commended the choice of Walsh to receive Trinidad and Tobago's second highest award - the Chaconia Gold Medal.
The world leading Test wicket-taker was among the outstanding personalities named in this year's 38th Independence Day honours list. CBTT had publicly called for Walsh to be given the country's highest award - the Trinity Cross. However, the group is pleased that the National Award Committee took note of its recommendation to honour a genuine West Indian hero.
CBTT is calling on other Caribbean territories to follow the lead of Trinidad and Tobago and recognise a man who has not only brought glory to the region but has also been a true exemplar to our young people.
CBTT is the first organisation outside of Jamaica to honour Walsh. The group presented him with the prestigious T&T's Republic Day Award for his outstanding contribution to West Indies cricket and for his exemplary efficiency and personal integrity. He is the first non-Trinidadian recipient of the award. He was also named earlier this year as a lifetime member of CBTT and an ambassador for the group.
This year's Trinity Cross was given to the late Archbishop Anthony Pantin - CBTT's first Republic Day recipient. The Catholic Archbishop, who died in April, commended the group's decision to honour Walsh with the 1999 Republic Day Award and went on to state publicly in the Jamaican Press and other media houses throughout the Caribbean that "Our young people badly need role models and thank God, Courtney Walsh can be confidently put forward as one of them."
CBTT was delighted to be among the very appreciative guests at the Jamaican High Commissioner's residence on Friday April 14, 2000 to pay "maximum respect" to Courtney Walsh who is now the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. It was really heartening to see so many prominent people gathered there to pay tribute to a fine sportsman.
It is hoped that Walsh will be seriously considered for the Trinity Cross - Trinidad and Tobago's highest award. CBTT agrees that such public acts will accomplish what politics has failed to do for decades - i.e. a unified Caribbean region.
All those present at the reception for Walsh were very appreciative of the hospitality extended to them by the Jamaican High Commissioner, Lorne T. McDonnough and his wife Michelle. They all felt honoured to be there to celebrate with Courtney who may very well come close to the 500-wicket mark in Test cricket before he calls it a day.
West Indies and Jamaica fast bowler Courtney Walsh was confirmed on Saturday, February 12, 2000 as a life
member of and ambassador for the non-governmental organisation Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago(CBTT).
As a recipient of the T&T 1999 Republic Day Award , Walsh becomes an automatic member of CBTT, even though he is
non-Trinidadian. As ambassador, Courtney will assist the group in its fight against drugs in the Caribbean and elsewhere. One
of the main purposes for the existence of the organisation is to stop drug abuse and illegal drug trafficking.
CBTT , which is credited with initiating the first ever Annual Drug and Alcohol Awareness Week among schools in Trinidad
and Tobago, and possibly the Caribbean, hopes that educational institutions in the region would follow suit.
It must be emphasized that alcohol and illegal drug abuse have led to the premature end to the careers of countless sportsmen
and sportswomen the world over.
Walsh received the T&T Republic Day Award from CBTT on October 12, 1999 for his outstanding contribution to West
Indies cricket, and for exemplary efficiency, quality of service and personal integrity. He was the first ever non-Trinidadian to
receive this prestigious award.
The head of a Trinidad and Tobago non-governmental organisation, which presented West
Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh with that country’s Republic Day Award on
Tuesday (October 12), 1999, has called on famous sportsmen the world over to emulate the
humility and personal integrity of the ace speedster if they wanted to impact positively on the
youth.
Describing the Jamaican as a true ambassador for the entire Caribbean, and a hero among
heroes, president of Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago(CBTT), Harrack
Balramsingh said at the 1999 Republic Day Award function for Walsh that "No one can deny
that the Jamaican has mixed with the high and mighty and still maintains the common touch."
He pointed out that " unlike Walsh there are too many arrogant men in society who believe
that education, fame, wealth and power make them superior to others."
Mr. Balramsingh added that his organisation has found a way to honour a great mind, and in
so doing, has helped towards a unified Caribbean region. He stated that many West Indians
living in the United States and Canada believed that CBTT had shown great vision by
recognising that even though the T&T’s Republic Day Award recipient was
Jamaican, he was worthy of recognition as a role model by a fellow Caribbean State.
Stating that the T&T award to Mr. Walsh will further strengthen the country’s
relationship with its Caribbean neighbours, the CBTT head believes that the award to
Courtney will be remembered for many years to come because it was given to a deserving
West Indian in an obvious attempt to unite people of the region.
Adding that we must never underestimate the power of sports as a unifying force,
Balramsingh said, "We must ensure that the West Indies cricket team continues to survive
because it has done more than anything else to foster and promote regional unity." He
predicted that Courtney Walsh would break the world record for most wickets in Test
cricket and go on to be recognised as one of the greatest human beings to ever play the
game of cricket.
Balramsingh said, "At a time when the moral fabric of our society seems to be crumbling;
when many of our youth are involved in crimes, drugs and other illicit activities; when young
people look around for heroes, but seem to find a void; and when our local prophets of doom
seem to be shrouding us with a sense of hopelessness, the 1999 Republic Day Award
recipient is a beacon in the time of darkness, and a symbol of hope for young people."
He stated that "all West Indians should be proud of Walsh whose tireless effort on the
cricket field has been unequalled in the history of West Indies cricket" , and went on to
state thatWalsh’s impressive statistics alone cannot be used to determine his
humanity. He said the majority of West Indians share the view that the Jamaican is one of
the best exemplars for our young people.
Walsh, the last standing hero of a once invincible team, was in Trinidad to receive this
year’s T&T’s Republic Day Award for his long, outstanding and meritorious
contribution to West Indies cricket, and also for his exemplary efficiency, quality of service
and personal integrity.
The fast bowler was presented with the prestigious award by Acting President of the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Ganace Ramdial.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control (TTCBC), Alloy Lequay, said during his speech at the 1999 Republic Day Award function for Courtney Walsh that "in today’s unstable environment where the social fabric of our societies is being torn apart through the vices of greed and rampant materialism, it is refreshing to be able to identify Walsh as a true role model, and an individual whose virtues of selflessness, national pride, courage and dedication stand out as a beacon of hope for the future."
He added that "Courtney Andrew Walsh has demonstrated over the years that he is such a man, a true West Indian hero and a cricket icon."
He said, " I am extremely pleased to be afforded this opportunity to bring greetings at this CBTT Republic Day Award ceremony to honour him on behalf of the TTCBC and indeed the entire cricketing fraternity of Trinidad and Tobago."
Lequay continued: "West Indies cricket has been blessed with many GREATS from Headley to Lara, from John to Ambrose, and in that list the name of Courtney Walsh must appear not only because of his on the field performances and achievements, which will see him in a few months, God willing, as the bowler with the most Test wickets in the game’s history, but also because his greatness lies beyond statistics."
The TTCBC president and CEO said, "Walsh is at his best when the tide is against him and when the odds are heavily weighted against him." He added, "It is in such circumstances that his mental toughness and resilence allow him to go beyond the call of duty and produce a performance which makes us stand and cheer in amazement."
Lequay stated that "in our various West Indian communities, we continue to be concerned with the direction in which so many of our young people are moving. They are fascinated by the bright lights and the cosmetics of life." He said, "They need to be re-focused on the virtues, spiritual values, morals, and ethics of good living. Courtney Walsh must be asked to lead a mission to achieve that objective. It is an awesome responsibility but a necessary task," Lequay added.
He said, "Walsh’s achievement adds another block to the construction of West Indian integration."
West Indies fast bowler Courtney Walsh said he was overwhelmed by the T&T’s
Republic Day Award, which he received on on October 12, 1999 from the non-governmental
organisation Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago (CBTT) for his long, outstanding and
meritorious service to West Indies cricket.
Walsh who was speaking at the formal presentation function in his honour, pointed out that
the Trinidad and Tobago award was especially satisfying to him because it was the first time
he was being honoured outside his native Jamaica. "It is not often one gets an award away
from his own country," he said.
He stated that "to know that I am the first overseas person to come and collect the Republic
Day Award in Trinidad makes me even prouder." He said, "While I am not from the land of
Trinidad, I consider myself a Caribbean person, representing the West Indies." Walsh
continued: "I have always had that oneness that I am a Caribbean man and a West Indies
cricketer who believes the team comes first."
He added that he hoped the award to him by the CBTT would help promote greater unity
among the people of the Caribbean. He believed that the T&T award to hi would bear
fruits since many people around the Caribbean would look at the honour as a viable attempt
to bring our people closer together.
The great fast bowler found himself defending his batting skills. He reminded the audience
at Guaracara Park, where he played his first cricket match in Trinidad 21 years ago as a
youth player for Jamaica, that he was the person who steered Vivian Richards to his double
century in Australia in 1984 when the Antiguan was going through a rough time.
Walsh said, "I have always told Brian Lara I have never batted with him in a Test match, and
the first time I batted with him in a Test, none of us got out, and we won." He made it clear
that after his retirement, he would like to put something back into the game.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ralph Maraj said that "Walsh is an example to all men
everywhere, and a special example to West Indians in all fields of endeavour from politics to
village council." He added that "in his field of endeavour, Walsh has set very high standards
which may be emulated by young people everywhere."
He pointed out that the fast bowler’s success "is enduring as he himself is." Maraj
along with Acting President of Trinidad and Tobago Ganace Ramdial, Sports Minister
Manohar Ramsaran , Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control President Alloy Lequay
and Jamaican High Commissioner Lorne McDonnough praised Walsh for his skill and
humility.
The NGO,
Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago, said that
Walsh had made an exceptional contribution to the West
Indies cricket team, which has the support of the vast
majority of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. Head
of the Catholic Church, Archbishop Anthony Pantin, was
the first recipient of the award in 1993. He said
Walsh was a good role model for young people interested
in sport. "Our young people badly need role
models and, thank God, Courtney Walsh can be confidently
put forward as one of them," he said. The
church leader thought that Walsh had accepted the decision
last year to replace him as captain of the West Indies
team with courage and that Walsh was determined to do his
best as long as he remained a member of theteam.
"It is to the eternal credit of Courtney
Walsh that he did not allow himself to resolve into
bitterness and resign from the team altogether,"
said Archbishop Pantin, adding that not enough attention
had been paid to Walsh's sportsmanship. The Republc
day Award is for people who, under exceptional circumstances,
have made outstanding contributions to regional development
and unity and who display exemplary efficiency, quality
of service and personal integrity. Republic Day
is observed on September 24. It is no longer a public
holiday.
The managing editor of the Caribbean Camera newspaper in Canada has praised the choice of
Courtney Walsh as the recipient of T&T’s Republic Day Award.
Stating that Citizens for a Better Trinidad and Tobago(CBTT) has shown great vision by recognising
Walsh, Mr. Raynier Maharaj believes that such public acts would eventually accomplish what politics
has failed to do for almost four decades -ie. a unified Caribbean region.
He said, "At Caribbean Camera, where we serve all Caribbean people regardless of country of
origin or ethnicity, we know the importance and strength of a unified voice on a global scale."
Mr. Maharaj stated that "the Caribbean community in Canada has only gained serious recognition as
an entity in the past eight years, even though we have had a significant presence in this country since
the 1960’s."
He pointed out that this recognition was made possible because "we have given the community a
single voice, not through preaching unity, but by showing week after week in the Caribbean Camera
newspaper that it exists in everyday life."
Mr Maharaj said the success of his newspaper was proof that Caribbean people, as a whole, were
looking beyond their individual borders and beyond issues such as race and were ready and willing to
recognise themselves as a group.
"Our readership," he said, "includes people of all races, from all walks of life and from all across the
Caribbean region (including Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Haiti), who now call Canada home.
"The reason I have pointed all of this out," he said, "is to show that once politics is removed from the
picture, Caribbean unity on a wider scale is possible, and it all starts with a single step."
Mr. Maharaj added that maybe the CBTT’s gesture to Courtney Walsh is that first step. "At
least, we hope so," he said.
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Walsh receives T&T's second highest medal - The Chaconia Gold Medal
Career Statistics:
TESTS
(including 19/04/2001)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 132 185 61 936 30* 7.54 0 0 29 0
O M R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 5003.1 1144 12688 519 24.44 7-37 22 3 57.8 2.53
ONE-DAY INTERNATIONALS
(including 11/01/2000)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 205 79 33 321 30 6.97 0 0 27 0
O M R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ
Bowling 1803.4 185 6918 227 30.47 5-1 6 1 47.6 3.83
FIRST-CLASS
(1981/82 - 2000)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 414 532 151 4473 66 11.74 0 8 116 0
O R W Ave BBI 5 10 SR Econ
Bowling 13628. 37995 1755 21.64 9-72 103 20 46.5 2.78
LIST A LIMITED OVERS
(1981/82 - 2000)
M I NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 Ct St
Batting & Fielding 439 214 65 1304 38 8.75 0 0 68 0
O R W Ave BBI 4w 5w SR Econ
Bowling 3645.5 13854 551 25.14 6-21 13 5 39.7 3.79
Give Trinity Cross to Courtney Walsh
Ambassador Walsh to help CBTT
in
the fight against drugs.
The Indira Mahatoo Dance Company
performing at the Walsh function.
1998 National Ex-Tempo Calypso Champion
Leroy Birch, known in the calypso world
as Big B, singing at the function for Walsh.
Young pannist sensation
Atiba Williams performing
at the Courtney Walsh function.
Famous sportsmen can learn from Walsh
Balramsingh -
Attending the 7th Annual Republic Day Award Function was (from left): Sports Minister
Manohar Ramsaran; Jamaican High Commissioner Lorne T. McDonnough; T&T’s
1999 Republic Day Award recipient Courtney Walsh; Acting President of the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Ganace Ramdial; Foreign Affairs Minister Ralph
Maraj; CBTT’s President Harrack Balramsingh; Trinidad and Tobago Cricket
Board President Alloy Lequay, and Chairman of the Trinidad and Tobago Petroleum
Company Limited’s Sports Club Michael Hamilton.
Walsh-West Indian hero,cricket icon
-Lequay
Courtney Walsh overwhelmed by T&T’s Republic Day Award
Courtney Walsh receiving the 1999 RDA from His Excellency Ganace Ramdial - Acting President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Cindy Balramsingh(CBTT vocalist) rendering the song entitled "The Anchor Holds" while Walsh and
Jamaican High Commissioner, Lorne T.McDonnough look on.
Walsh at the function with two of his favourite fans Ravi Sankar and Candace Sankar
who played "Rally round the West Indies" on the synthesiser.
Walsh lands T&T Republic Day award
Walsh
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad,
Aug 23 (CANA)
--
A Trinidad and Tobago non-governmental organisation
has chosen West Indies former captain, fastbowler Courtney
Walsh, for its Republic Day Award.
CBTT's gesture to Courtney Walsh is an
important step to Caribbean Unity