It was a day to remember day for past and present sportsmen of Belmont, who made a contribution at club, national and international levels over the decades.

Eighty sports personalities, drawn from 18 disciplines were honoured last Sunday by the Belmont Community Group, chaired by Peter Reynald, and including Gordon Draper, Keith Nancoo, Brian Rigsby, Billy Hogan, Brian Yates, Clyde Martin and Albert Dandrade.

Dubbed "Reunion Day" the occasion was highlighted by speeches and distribution of certificates.

On hand were stalwarts like former Caribbean light heavyweight boxing champion Gentle Daniel, the Davis brothers, Charlie and Bryan, Andy Ganteaume, table tennis stars Marjorie John, Petal Lee Woo and Aleena Edwards, and Carolyn Bart, Jennifer Figuero, and Pamela Richards.

The list also included the names of many sports figures who have passed on and are now in the great arena in the skies - Ray Apollon, Horace "Pepperwine" Lovelace, June Walters, Levi "Wildcat" Campbell, and Esbert Joseph.

In his closing remarks, Reynald apologized to the deserving sportsmen who were inadvertently left out and promised another get together early in the new year.

There was a special mention of national basketballer Merrick Jim Anatol, who also played for England.

Anatol scored 114 points in a first class basketball match against a touring American team in Trinidad.

Then there was the evergreen sports administrator George Cumberbatch, a top boxing referee and a football referee for over 64 years.

Reynald in his vote of thanks emphasized that the Belmont group intends to address "pressing situations like sanitation, education and the provision of adequate health facilities, with a special focus on the needs of the elderly in 1998.

"It is in this connection that the committee hopes to have our heroes re-commit themselves to the spiritual revival of a once proud district" he said.

Past and present players then mingled well into the day, reliving their biggest moments in the field of sport.

TOP