Today, NATION Online takes a look back at some of the highlights in Sport for January 2016.
JANUARY IS NOT a big month for Sport in Barbados as it tends to be the off period for most major disciplines, coming after a relaxing break for Christmas.
It is the month where reflection and reward take place, and West Indies One-Day International and Test captain Jason Holder was named the island’s Sports Personality of the Year by the National Sports Council.
Holder also copped the award for Senior Sports Personality (male), while Akela Jones won the award for females after a record-breaking season at Kansas State University.
Jones and Ramon Gittens dominated the Barbados Olympic Association’s Awards, while Mary Fraser was also recognised for her outstanding triple gold medal feat at the CARIFTA Games. Darian King was the NATION’s choice for Sports Personality after making a major climb up the tennis rankings and competed in the qualifying rounds for tennis’ grand slams.
Remarks by Barbados Olympic Association president Steve Stoute.
■ Shamar Springer was the lone Barbadian named in the West Indies Under-19 squad ahead of the World Cup. Selectors also announced Guyana’s Shimron Hetmeyer would captain the side.
■ Seven Barbadians were called up by the West Indies Cricket Board for the Women’s squad. National captain Shaquana Quintyne, who had not played for the team since an injury in 2014, joined Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, vice captain Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell and twin sisters Kycia and Kyshona Knight. Jamaican Stafanie Taylor was captain.
Barbados women’s cricket captain Shaquana Quintyne made a return to the West Indies side for the first time since an injury in 2014.
■ On the men’s side, West Indies called up all of the “big guns”, including Dwaye Bravo, Chris Gayle and Sunil Narine”. Holder and Sulieman Benn were also named in the squad.
■ A Broken Trident Run on Errol Barrow Day was one of the first activities for the year-long 50th Anniversary of Independence celebrations. Budding athletes joined icons of the past and standard bearers of the present in the run from Independence Square to Glebe, St George.
■ The closure of the stands at the National Stadium presented a challenge for the organisers of the primary and secondary schools’ athletics championships. Organisers of the National Primary Schools’ Athletics Championships announced the Usain Bolt Complex would be their base, but those for the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletics Championships (BSSAC) indicated a preference for the National Stadium.
■ BSSAC organisers also announced a double zone system for the meet, with the teams divided between the Esther Maynard and Frank Blackman Zones.
■ At the end of the month, the sporting fraternity said farewell to Aubrey Grant who died at age 81. Dubbed the Godfather of Carrington Village, Grant excelled as a sportsman and coach.
Aubrey Grant’s widow Juanita Grant (third right) mourning the loss of her husband, while Sir Austin Sealy (second right) and Minister of Tourism Richard Sealy (right) pay their final respects.
