media_artricles :: 2013

Athlete of the Year Jehue given keys to new home

WORLD Championship 400 metres Hurdles gold medallist Jehue Gordon was yesterday brought to tears after receiving the keys to a new home from the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) General Manager Jerlean John at the Spirit of Sports Awards at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s.

Gordon who had already been the star of the night after receiving the awards for the Male Athlete of the Year; Breakthrough Performance; Consistent Performer and Sports Performance was not expecting anything more when Minister of Sports Anil Roberts called John up to the stage to make the keys presentation.

Afterwards the local and international hurdles king just had to allow the tears to flow as he spoke about the misfortune of his Maraval home being destroyed by landslide back in 2008 and the goodness of the HDC and government to provide with another.

“I am just really thankful right now” he told the audience which clapped continuously to show their appreciation for his achievement on and off the track.

Gordon also spoke of his belief in God Jehovah and thanked all for the support shown to him, saying had it not been for the support of his family, his school, his friends, the churches he went to and the minister of sport among many others, his successes would not have been possible.

The lanky hurdler also had his childhood life and struggles recited by his best friend in a video clip. Gordon was said to have been filled with talent from a little boy, despite the struggles he has had to endure- such as having to eat corned beef and rice on a regular basis.

In addition to being presented with the awards which he won, Gordon also collected a cheque for $800,000 from Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Ashwin Creed for his achievement at the World Championship.

Gordon was not the only person whose achievements were being recognised as swimmer George Bovell was also given a cheque for $250, 000 for his successes at the FINA Swimming World Cup. Bovell III, a bronze medallist at the 2004 Olympics in Athens Greece in the 200 metres Individual Medley and a finalist at the London, England Olympics where he finished seventh in the individual medley.

At the World Cups Bovell won 14 medals (silver and bronze) and at one time was ranked 2nd, 4th and 8th in the FINA World ranking in the 100 metre IM, 50 metres freestyle SCM and the 50 metre LCM.

Meanwhile gymnast Marisa Dick was named the Female athlete of the year after her achievements earned her a 38th rank in the world and the only Trinidad and Tobago gymnast who have climbed so high in the rankings.

Inspirational disabled swimmer Shanntol Ince was unchallenged for the Emerging Athlete of the Year award as well as the award for Athlete with disability.

Ince who walked up to the stage sporting a prosthetic leg told the gathering that she was really grateful for the awards. However her coach Huggins in a glowing tribute to her, said he admired her the most for the person she is and the fight she possessed.

A complete list of SOSA awards below:

Community Sport Programme - KFC/Comets Youth Development Programme and Deaf Sports Organisation of T&T

Community Champion - Kwanieze John

Male Athlete – Jehue Gordon (Athletics)

Female Athlete – Marisa Dick (Gymnastics)

Emerging Athlete – Shanntol Ince (Paralympic Swimming)

Team – Senior Men (Rugby)

Coach – Ian Hypolite (Athletics)

Manager – Dexter Voisin (Athletics)

Technical Team – Ian Sharpe (Athletics)

Breakthrough Performance – Jehue Gordon (Athletics)

Record-Breaking Performance – Dylan Carter (Swimming)

Consistent Performer – Jehue Gordon (Athletics)

Comeback Performance – Romona Modeste (Athletics)

Athlete with a Disability – Shanntol Ince (Paralympics)

Parent – Tracy & St. Paul Ince

Journalist (E) – Kent Fuentes, CNMG

Journalist (P) – Vinode Mamchan, Guardian

Sport Picture – Robert Taylor, Express

Sport Performance – Jehue Gordon.

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