Charlestown Nevis ( September 25, 2006)
Following the opening ceremony of the Nevis Amateur Football Association League that was held at Grove Park on Saturday afternoon, the inauguration of a “˜Legends Cup’ competition was introduced by the association’s management led by Mr. Raymond Smith.
The competition saw the top four teams of the last season, namely, Caribbean Cable Communications Bath United, Slybo Stoney Grove Strikers, Bronx United and Harris’ United competed over a two-day period for the Legends Cup, dubbed “The Lester Blackette Trophy”. Harris’ United was the overall winner.Mr. Smith noted that the management committee had been working very hard over the past few months to find ways of making this year’s league more exciting. “We will see the top four teams of last season compete for the Legend Cup this year. The Legend Cup is a way of honouring our pass footballers for their contribution to football and sports in general.”
This year’s honouree was Mr. Lester Blackette and according to the President the association had decided to engrave the name of the honouree on the trophy with the hope that the competition would become an annual event, citing, “There are many other stalwarts to recognise and many more yet to come.”
Mr. Smith appealed to the Nevis island Administration and in particular, the Minister of Sports, to rise to the challenge and bridge the gap between the primary school level and the secondary school level.
He attributed that to the fact that the game of football was only played at the primary school level and promising players have to find a way to continue the game when they enter the secondary school level.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Alsted Pemberton in giving brief remarks, called upon the teams to be competitive, saying, “To be competitive or productive, one must have the desire to play football and that desire can only come from within you.
“Having built up that desire, you must be determined to achieve your goals and lastly but most importantly, be discipline. By being discipline I mean, respecting yourself on and off the field of play, respecting your colleagues, respecting the referee’s decisions and exhibit a high level of sportsmanship at all times,” said Mr. Pemberton.
In declaring the league officially opened, the Permanent Secretary of Sports, extended congratulations to the Football Association for the hard work it continued to put into the development of football on the island.
While Mr. Lester Blackette expressed appreciation for the accolades bestowed upon him, the Slybo Stoney Grove Strikers team was presented with football gears and warm-up jersey from two donors, Mr. Spencer Brand of Brand Architectural Services and Mr. A Michael Perkins, Senator in the Federal Assembly respectively.
Pastor Denzil Roberts invoked God’s Blessing on the league while the ceremony was chaired by Mr Brian Dowe.
These kind of local actions are the ones that bring communities together and cheer up the local spirit. This seems to be a great way in which sports get involved in the community`s life. The more you encourage this in school years, you`ll build healthy mentalities in your local life.