A beaming Austin Jack Warner, right, is presented with the Visionary Award by Guardian managing director Grenfell Kissoon at the Sports Desk’s annual awards function which was held on Friday. Warner and West Indies star batsman Brian Lara were honoured by the Sports Department. Sports Editor Valentino Singh, left, joins in the celebrations.
Photo: Lester Forde By Rachael Thompson King
FIFA vice-president Austin Jack Warner and West Indies batsman Brian Lara were both honoured at the annual Christmas awards function of the Guardian Sports Desk on Friday.
Warner, whose belief and faith in the football talent of T&T, was largely responsible for the country’s qualification for its first World Cup, was presented with the “Visionary Award” by the company’s managing director Grenfell Kissoon.
Both himself and Lara, who received the “Icon Award,” were described by Sports Editor Valentino Singh, as national treasures and were called upon to continue showing that hard work and commitment had their rewards in success.
Singh said both men were similar in several respects, having come from very humble backgrounds and establishing themselves on the international stage.
“It stands to reason that given the negativity in our society today, where the media charts are constantly being topped by crime, divisiveness and other negativity, we are proud to have two men who reflect something positive.”
Singh said because of what they were able to achieve in 2005 in the midst of the social decline in the country, both now had a greater responsibility to T&T.
In his response, Warner expressed the view that it was a collective effort which took T&T to Germany next year. “Everyone played their part.”
He reminded the gathering which included Olympic bronze medallist George Bovell 111; national gymnast Ananda Fraser, T&TCB Omar Khan and Forbes Persad, Communications specialist Neil Giuseppi, Miss T&T Kennisha Thom and TTOC secretary Brian Lewis, that the three Caribbean countries which had qualified for the World Cup finals previously, failed to do so on a second occasion.
“Neither Haiti, Cuba nor Jamaica made it to the finals a second time.”
Warner said it was important for T&T to take note of that and ensure that “it does not happen here.”
Lara, in his response, thanked the media for its support over the years, pointing out that all sportsmen start their careers hoping for recognition from the media.
“We are very dependent on the media in the early part of our careers and later, we adopt a more independent role when our careers grow. I have always had a great relationship with the Guardian, I am pleased to say.”
The West indies batsman scored five centuries during the year and added two more records to his vast portfolio—the first going past Sir Gary Sobers’ 26 Test centuries to become the leading century maker among West Indies and in his last meaningful knock of the year, hitting 226 against Australia, during which he passed Alan Border’s highest Test aggregate of 11,174 runs.
The company’s managing director Grenfell Kissoon also addressed the group and assured all that the Guardian would continue to play its role in national development.
Several members of the department were recognised during the evening.
West Indies star batsman Brian Lara, left, and Fifa vice-president Austin Jack Warner, right, and Olympic medallist George Bovell III, second from right, share a photo with Guardian Sports Editor Valentino Singh. Occasion was the Sports Desk’s annual awards function which was held on Friday.
Photo: Lester Forde
