The Tribune

THE nation’s newest NBA star Buddy Hield, former Deputy Prime Minister Dr Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, Women’s NBA standout Jonquel Jones, and veterans like Leonard Boston Blackie Miller, Peter Gilcud, swim coach Andy Knowles and sports administrators like Sir Arlington Butler as well as the late Vince Ferguson are joined by the country’s only test cricketer Ivan Johnson in the 38 Sports Legends list as part of the country’s 43rd Independence Anniversary celebrations.

Obie Wilchcombe, MP and Minister of Tourism serving in the capacity of chairman of the 43rd Independence Celebrations Secretariat, is pleased to announce on behalf of the Government and People of The Bahamas, 38 honourees as National Sports Legends.

“The Christie Government in demonstrative admission of its mantra to put Bahamians first and to believe in Bahamians has set about the task upon coming to office in May 2012 of uplifting, recognising and saluting the stellar conduct, character and performances of Bahamians in every sphere of national life,” Wilchcombe said.

“The Government has been encouraged to continue the annual Independence promotion and induction of the College of Cultural Heroes and, indeed, the sports heroes stand on their own formidable platform.”

Wilcombe said just as the cultural heroes have engaged the nation in song, dance, the written word and multimedia, hospitality and respective industries, the sports heroes have given the nation and the Bahamian people a sense of pride and place in the world, and made us all feel good about ourselves and our ability to perform at world class levels at home and abroad.

“The 38 Sports Legend honourees hail from diverse backgrounds and sports and athletic portfolios. What they all have in common is the thread of appreciation, support and marvel the Bahamian people have professed over the fabulous cadre of talent,” Wilcombe said.

“Each sports honouree still alive with us today and those being honoured posthumously have shown by example worthy of emulation that our younger citizens indeed do have role models to pattern themselves after, and the stories each of the 38 honourees present make us all proud and humbled.”

Wilchcombe said the committee cannot single out any one honouree as they all quite rightly belong to the same cavalcade. “The committee encourages the wider community to continue to identify and cause to be remembered the outstanding performances of sports heroes whose careers and acumen elevate them to the prestigious honour during the annual Independence celebrations,” Wilchcombe said.

The 38 sports honourees will be installed and presented with their insignia and designations at a Ceremony to Honour Sports Legends 7pm Thursday (July 21) at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium.