Velox still up to marks

He has hung up his football boots for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, but Kendall “ Ken I” Velox is continuing to do what he does best.

Velox, who plays semi professionally in Trinidad and Tobago was last week Wednesday announced as one of the top “ Performers of the Month” of July.{{more}} He along with the other recipients walked away with TT$1000, as the cash award.

A stand out player for his club Economy North Stars in the Trinidad and Tobago Pro league, Velox’s award came after he shot five goals in six matches, to initiate a North Stars revival.

A veteran of the pro league for the past ten years, Velox is into his fourth straight year with North Stars. He helped them to the title in 2004, but is considering putting away his boots permanently at this level.

Velox first joined the pro league in the twin island republic in 1997 with Caledonia and spent one year there. The creative midfielder who favours his left foot, then moved to Joe Public in 1999, followed by a season in Lebanon with Negmeh. His second stint with Joe Public was from 2000 to 2002.

Velox who turned 36 last Saturday, following the Digicel Cup in January announced his retirement from national representation.

Velox first represented St.Vincent and the Grenadines at the Under-17 level in 1987, and formed the lethal partnership with Rodney “Chang” Jack” and Curtis “Fame” Joseph, then all students of the Bethel High School. Velox advanced to the senior team in 1990.

And after twenty years on service for his land of his birth, the reserved Velox has no regrets in doing so.

He however is disturbed by the attitude of younger players to the game.

Velox, at the twilight of his career and still in good shape, feels like going on longer but does not want to overstay his welcome.

With the absence of data, Velox believes that he may have established a national record with over 100 international caps to his credit.

He lists as his top goal, his long range shot to beat Mexico’s Jorge Campos in world cup action in 2000 in Mexico as his greatest effort.

Velox thinks his solo effort versus St. Kitts in 2004 and another long range strike against Jamaica earlier this year in the Digicel Cup competition that sank the Caribbean heavyweights out of further action, as his consolidations.

And like chip off the old block, Velox’s offspring, seven-year-old D’ Nielsen is following in his footsteps.

Already the younger Velox is scoring goals too. He is a member of the Harvard Club.(RT)