Kingston, Jamaica, December 8, 2016 – Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says it is important that sportsmen and sportswomen be recognised and awarded, as Jamaica’s sporting achievements continue to earn the country international respect.
Addressing the 12th annual Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence ceremony on December 7 at Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in Kingston, Mr. Holness said sport has the power “to inspire, to unite and to instill discipline, diligence, responsibility and, importantly, patriotism”.
“This award is to inspire youngsters to walk the road of excellence in sports and life,” the Prime Minister said. Mr. Holness said he is pleased that the awards include student athletes, “because while we celebrate achievements today, we must always look to the future”.
He offered congratulations to the nominees and encouraged the students to firmly grasp opportunities presented, and to be an example and mentor to their peers.
Meanwhile, former Jamaica Cricket Team captain, Tamar Lambert, edged out female cricketer Stafanie Taylor and footballer Warren Barrett to win the 2016 Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence.
He was recognized for his contribution to the sport and his unwavering dedication to serve. Mr. Lambert, an all-rounder, represented Jamaica at the Under-15 and Under-19 levels and led a career lasting 99 matches that yielded 4,697 runs at an average of 28.12. He took 76 wickets at an average of 25.68, with a best figure of 8-42.
From 2008 to 2012, he led Jamaica to an unprecedented five consecutive triumphs in the Regional Four-Day championship titles. Mr. Lambert also led Jamaica to two regional Super50 titles, in 2007 and 2011, plus two play-off shields.
He is a member of the St. Catherine Cricket Club and is involved in philanthropy, contributing pads and bats to players in the Heartlands Community/Sports Club programme; and has served as the coach for the St. Jago High School cricket team for the past three years.
St. Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) track and field athlete Santanya Wright was awarded the Courtney Walsh Student Excellence Award and Kingston College 100-metre sprinter Jevaun Mattison walked away with the award for Young Male Athlete 2016. Both schools received $250,000 towards implementing a project.
Other student nominees were Captain of Wolmer’s Boys U-19 basketball team, Travis Brown; Jamaica’s Number-One ranked junior tennis player Kyle Martin, also from Wolmer’s Boys; track and field all-rounder Aiko Jones of Wolmer’s Girls; and national junior netballer Susan Douglas of The Queen’s High School.
The Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence, administered by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund, aims to recognise the achievements of a sportsperson who displays high levels of humility, integrity, discipline and other exemplary qualities, while excelling in sports.
It was set up in honour of former West Indies cricket team captain and Ambassador-at-large, Hon. Courtney Walsh.
