By Neto Baptiste
Former West Indies fast bowler Sir Andy Roberts and former Leeward Islands and national cricketer and footballer Veron Edwards Sr are among 10 former student-athletes from the Princess Margaret School (PMS) who will be inducted into the institution’s Hall of Fame.
The induction will take place during today’s staging of the school’s annual sports day festivities at the YASCO Sports Complex scheduled to start at 3pm.
PMS’ Principal Dr Colin Greene said the school has always entertained the thought of starting a hall of fame, and that a lot of research went into deciding the list of 10.
“We come to understand that records are important and recognition is even more important, and so we thought about the process; but sometimes when you plan it’s something or the other that keeps it off and you figure this might not be the right time [but] if you’re looking for the perfect time then you’d never get it done, so we decided that we have to start.
“Every year the numbers are getting bigger and it’s something that’s worthy. When we look at the school and the contributions that people have made, the foundations that would have been built, it’s nice to recognise them. We don’t have a million dollars but at least we can say thank you for the contributions that you would have made,” he said.
Also listed for induction into the PMS Hall of Fame is Anthony “Beast” Mason (basketball); Fernando “Nando” Abraham (football); Garfield “Garry” Gonsalves (football); Devikka Tittle (football); Agatha Dublin (netball); Jess St John track & field); Teddy Daley (track & field); and Cejhae Greene (track & field).
Greene also highlighted that a number of the country’s top youth athletes like Kasiya Daley, who is the Athletic Association’s nominee for Junior Sportsman of Year; and Geolyna Dowdye will be on show during the event. He also warned that there will be a low tolerance for violence.
“We also want to remind them that there are no knapsacks or bags allowed in the grounds and people coming in will be scanned by metal detectors, so prepare yourselves for that. The police have assured that anybody who gives problems — they’re not stopping the function because of them — they will be locking them up and there will be a holding cell on the outside because we’re supposed to be able to have wholesome events without people coming to try and mash it up,” the principal said.
Robyn Joseph Nathaniel, a member of the faculty and also the school’s head of public relations, highlighted the return of the VIP lounge for this year’s sports day.
“When you get to the VIP you’re going to get a goodie bag and I’ve seen the goodies in there like cups, rags and all kind of things, like branded sanitizers. Then, you also have unlimited wine and local drinks, you’ll also have your pick of the foods because we will have two Arnolds [pigs] roasting right there,” she said.
The sporting activities started at the school on Monday with house football, and continued Tuesday at the YMCA with volleyball, basketball and netball. Wednesday’s event cost $20 at the gate for general admission while VIP tickets are $150.
