SVG-USASA executive & friends visit ailing former national soccer star

The executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines United States of America Sports Association (SVG-USASA), along with friends, paid a visit to ailing former national soccer Star Keith “Slick” Clark, aka Slick Bonadie, on Monday, January 18, 2016 (Dr Martin Luther King, Jr Day).{{more}}

“Slick,” as he is affectionately known to Vincentians, is recovering at the Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center (Winthrop and 49th Street), in Brooklyn, New York.

Vincentians will know “Slick” as a talented mid-fielder, who thrilled our soccer loving nation for three decades – the 70s, 80s and 90s – both at home and in Brooklyn, NY. The fledgling SVG-USASA, through its Sports Legends and Legacy Fund, and with the contributions of all present at the visit, made a small donation of $500 to the Clark family.

The group stayed for about two hours, sharing stories and wishing “Slick” well.

In handing over the donation to Slick’s brother, Bertie “Snails” Hadaway, both SVG-USASA chair Peter “Poski” Burke and deputy chair Sports Ambassador Stella Boyea-Ashby stressed that SVG-USASA, Legends and Legacy Fund was about demonstrating to our sports heroes that they have not been forgotten.

Burke said “Brother and sister are words that we love to use very much. Thanks to our culture, they signify a bond that has a special place that goes well beyond the ties of family. Today, it is necessary to bring brotherhood back to the heart of our sporting fraternity, and demonstrate that we are indeed our brother’s keepers.”

Sports Ambassador Stella Boyea-Ashby, in endorsing the sentiments, said “This is beautiful! Yes, they are our brothers and sisters and we love them and treat them as such. They will know they are not alone in their time of need.”

Slick’s brother Bertie “Snails” said he was very touched to know that members of the sporting fraternity were still thinking of Slick and that the entire SVG-USASA executive came to see how he was.

The group plans other visits and asks for prayers on behalf of Slick’s family, as he goes through this healing process. Sports Ambassador Gailene Windsor, treasurer of SVG-USASA said “Our fervent prayer is for a speedy recovery, and for the continued well-being of his mom Claire (aka Cynthia), his brother Bertie “Snail” Hadaway and sister Debbie Hadaway, who are constantly at his side.”

Slick’s room is 328 on the third floor at the hospital.

“Our group was super happy that we spent this day visiting Slick, knowing what MLK stood for,” said Stella.