Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Pan American Junior Championships 100m hurdles champion, Latoya Greaves, accepts her special award presented to her by Mike Fennell, foundation member, at Thursday night's RJR Sports Foundation Sportswoman and Sportswoman of the Year award ceremony held at Island Cinema in New Kingston. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
WORLD 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell and world triple jump champion Trecia-Kaye Smith expressed mixed feelings after receiving their RJR Sports Foundation National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards, respectively.
After the function, which was held at Island Cinema in New Kingston, Powell said it was an honour, while Smith said she was surprised.
Powell, who ran the three fastest times in 2005 9.84 seconds, 9.85 and the world record 9.77 said this award ranked alongside his world record.
"It ranks up there," said Powell, whose 9.77-second run on June 14, 2005, broke American Tim Montgomery's two-year mark of 9.78.
"I really appreciate it. It shows that I really done something, so I just really, really appreciate it and I will just put it up in my trophy (case)," he said with a big smile.
While not pointing to any disappointments, Smith, who leapt joint world- leading 15.11 metres to win the World Championships triple jump gold medal, said she was not banking on the award.
"My past experience has led me not to put all the chickens in one basket," Smith said.
WONDERFUL PERFORMANCES
"I wasn't expecting to be named Sportswoman of the Year because I think there were a lot of wonderful performances over the last season," said Smith, who also had jumps of 15.01m and 14.91m to secure the three best jumps in Helsinki's World Championships final.
Veronica Campbell, for her 100m silver medal at the World Championships and ending the year as the second-ranked athlete in both sprints, and Windies batsman Chris Gayle, who scored a Jamaican record 317 Test runs, edged out World Championships silver medallist Michael Frater for the men's and women's runner-up spots.
Powell's MVP coach Stephen Francis was given the Chairman's Award and he, too, was surprised at winning this award.
"It's a big surprise because we coaches in the Jamaican sporting scene are not usually paid this kind of a compliment, but it's extremely satisfying to know that the work that we have done has been judged successfully and further to know that it has been recognised by the RJR Sports Foundation."
As usual, there were some controversial selections in the special awards section, which was heavily debated among top track and field coaches and experts.
Latoya Greaves, who won 100m hurdles gold at the Pan American Junior Championships, and Natasha Ruddock who was runner-up, were awarded for those performances, which sparked controversy.
At the same Pan-Am Championships Anneisha McLaughlin and Nickeisha Wilson won gold medals, but were not recognised.
Latoya King and Schillonie Calvert were also bronze medallists in the 200m and 100m, respectively, at the World Youth Championships a higher level event than the Pan Am Games and they, too, were not given an award.
All were in agreement with Ruddock being rewarded as she won an individual medal silver at the World Youth Championships.
However, they believe if Greaves was rewarded for her golden run at Pan Am and Ruddock for hers, then McLaughlin and Wilson should have been accorded similar recognition.
Guest speaker Gary Allen, group operations director, RJR Communications Group, said the selection process will be different next year as the public will be involved.
WEBSITE
He said apart from adding the awards' own website, which will have 45 years of history and give details on winners since 1961, there will be "on-line voting from across the globe, as a part of the identification of Jamaican sporting icons deserving to be nominated and ultimately selected as our Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year".
He also cited the input of sports journalists.
"We also propose to include next year an input into nominations from sports journalists who would be joining sporting organisations that now provide some recommendations for the consideration of the selection committee.
While pointing out that an edited version of the night's function will be broadcast across the Caribbean, United States, and United Kingdom, Allen said they are also looking to spread their wings to the Caribbean in the same capacity.
Individual category winners
(male and female)
Athletics Asafa Powell and Trecia-Kaye Smith
Badminton Bradley Graham and
Nigella Saunders
Cricket Chris Gayle
Cycling Iona Wynter and
Ricardo Lynch
Football Luton Shelton and
Alicia Wilson
Golf Diane Lang
Rifle Shooting David Rickman
Squash James Bullock and
Karen Anderson
Swimming Alia Atkinson and
Brad Hamilton
Tennis Ryan Russell
