SVG celebrates 35th anniversary of Independence

Fifteen individuals, including five sports personalities, three singers, one dramatist/writer and two pannists, have each been accorded the privilege of carrying a diplomatic passport and wearing the title cultural or sports ambassador of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

During his Independence message to the{{more}} nation on Monday, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves announced that last week, Cabinet had appointed the individuals, a gesture that he says reiterates appreciation for their contribution to sports and culture.

“These appointments reaffirm our Government’s conviction that culture, the arts and sports, as well as other uplifting aspects of life and living are vital to our nation’s well-being and the further ennoblement of our civilization,” Gonsalves pointed out.

He indicated that the five sports ambassadors were basketball administrator Sabrina Mitchell, former national netballer Dr Halimah Deshong, former national footballer Stanley “Luxie” Morris, and former national and regional cricketers Denis Byam and Deighton Butler.

The cultural ambassadors are carnival mas men Elroy “Blondie Bird” Boyd and Julian “Pilling” Pollard. Playwright, poet and author Cecil “Blazer” Williams was among the list of persons honoured, as well as veteran pannist and vocalist Ken Isles and pannist and manager of Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra Errol “Sardo” Sutherland.

The list concludes with a number of current calypso, soca and pop artistes: Marlon Roudette, formerly of the band Mattafix; Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, Orandi “Bomani” Charles, Shaunelle Mckenzie, and Shernelle “Skarpyon” Williams.

Other persons who have been named cultural or sports ambassadors in the past include Gamal “Skinny Fabulous” Doyle, Delroy “Fireman” Hooper, Kenneth “Vibrating Scakes” Alleyne, Kevin Lyttle and Juliana Nero, who were so named in 2013.

In 2009, the Government bestowed the title of “Goodwill Ambassador” on nine persons, a rank which bestowed on them the privilege of the grant of a diplomatic passport. Those persons were: musicians Sylvester and Frankie McIntosh, calypsonian Glenroy ‘Sulle’ Caesar, international basketball star Adonal Foyle, sports personalities Genita Lewis and Gloria Ballantyne, activist Nelcia Robinson Hazel, retired health care provider Ann Anderson and businessman Reginald DaSilva.(JJ)