Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Asafa Powell (right) collects his gold medal from Kingston Mayor Desmond McKenzie at Wednesday night's Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation 2006 Local Government Month awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, New Kingston. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

"AS A countryman, getting an award in Kingston is a great honour for me," was Asafa Powell's reaction after receiving a gold medal from the Kingston and St. Andrew Corporation (KSAC) at Wednesday night's Local Government Month award ceremony.

"And I am very happy about it," added Powell, the world 100m record holder who, along with MVP training partner Sherone Simpson and Veronica Campbell, was a gold medal recipient for contributing to nation building.

Simpson said, "I really appreciate that members of the KSAC appreciated all our hard work and we do hope in many years to come we will continue to make the city proud and, on a whole, Jamaica."

Coach honoured

Top Jamaica track and field coach Glen Mills was also recognised for his contribution to nation building through coaching. Mills was given a silver medal.

Mills, who along with seven other persons shared The Gleaner 'Man of the Year' award last week, was happy to once again be recognised.

"I am very proud," Mills said. "I have been in the business for over 30 years and I am just getting the kind of recognition for the work that I have put in and I am very happy that I am been recognised," he said. "I hope this augurs well for coaches in the future that their contributions will be highlighted because they are truly pillars in nation building.

"A lot of us have made supreme sacrifices for our athletes to perform and to give the nation the kind of recognition worldwide that it is getting," he explained.

Campbell, who lives in the United States, was unable to attend the event.