Bringing the spirit of Grenada to Britain

LONDON, July 15, 2012 - Despite the heavy downpour and a rainy week in London, the 4^th Annual Grenadian Heritage Day was convened at the Old Lyonian Sports and Social Club in Pinner, Harrow, London on Saturday July 14^th 2012, with scores of Grenadians and friends sampling tasty Grenadian cuisine, fruits, vegetables, arts, craft, culture, entertainment, on display, as Grenada’s Heritage was showcased for the fourth year running.

The idea, conceived in 2009, is aimed at educating second and succeeding generation Grenadians about their Heritage, and showcasing Grenadian Culture, Expertise and Cuisine.

Since the first event proved to be a tremendous success, the High Commissioner for Grenada and the Grenadian Community Groups in the United Kingdom, decided to make it an annual event.

The Event was Officially Opened by The Worshipful The Mayor of Harrow, Councillor Nizam Ismail accompanied by the Lady Mayoress, who warmly welcomed the culture of Grenada to Harrow.

The event was also graced by the presence of L/Cpl Dr Johnson Beharry VC, Mr Anthony C George, Designer of the Grenada Flag and the Grenada Olympic Team, led by Mr Conrad Francis, Chef de Mission.

The gathering took the opportunity to wish the team success at the games.

Several Grenadian Community Groups, individuals and supporters showcased their artistic talent with a variety of dishes, artistic creations and a wide range of performers in a variety of disciplines.

The Diaspora Youth Forum (DYF) UK took the opportunity to increase the awareness of Grenada’s Heritage among the 2^nd and succeeding generation Grenadians, with a corn-roasting stall and Grenadian-style snow ice, whilst the Diaspora Consultative Committee (DCC) UK also participated to raise funds for Educational Development in Grenada and raise awareness about the Homecoming Events August 5^th – 18^th 2012.

The Grenada Co-operative Bank (a.k.a. the Diaspora Bank), for the second time, participated in the Heritage Day and sensitized visitors on the facilities the Bank had in place for persons in the Diaspora.
Grenadians came from various parts of the United Kingdom including Manchester, Reading, Huddersfield, Birmingham, Wales and from several communities in and around London.

The High Commissioner for Grenada, HE Ruth Elizabeth Rouse, was high in praise for the Chair of the Heritage Day Committee, Mr. Claude Sylvester and his team, for their dedicated service to Grenada, in planning and executing the event.

Special thanks also went out to the stall-holders, sponsors in the UK and Grenada, including the Grenada Co-operative Bank Ltd., The Grenada Board of Tourism (UK), The Grenada Marketing and National Importing Board, Noelville Ltd., Grenada Distillers Ltd., and all others who took time out to support the event and raffle, which included a trip to Grenada.

The proceeds of the event will go towards a chosen Heritage-related Project in Grenada.

The 5^th Annual Grenadian Heritage Day will be convened in London on Saturday July 13^th 2013.

High Commission for Grenada

London

July 15^th 2012 

Members of Grenada's Olympic Team in London

Team Grenada opens pre-Olympic Games camp in Sunderland

by Michael Bascombe

SUNDERLAND, UK, July 3, 2012 – Members of the Grenada team for the Olympics Games in London have begun assembling for the first of two camps which officially opened on Monday.

Three athletes - Kurt Felix (Decathlon), Joel Redhead (200m), Neisha Bernard-Thomas (800m) – moved into Sunderland University for a pre-Olympic Games training camp.

They were also joined by chef de mission Conrad Francis, national coach Albert Joseph, and Felix’ coach Jeff Petersmeyer.

They will spend the next week training at the University’s modern facilities in preparation for the Games opening on July 27.

The other members of the team – Rondell Bartholomew (400m), Kirani James (400m), Kanika Beckles (400m), Paul Williams (100m), Janelle Williams (200m) and Esau Simpson (swimmer) - will join the camp on July 11 at the Broadbridge Heath Leisure centre near Horsham District in West Sussex. Andrea St. Bernard (Taekwondo) will join the team on July 25.

Simpson will be the first among his team members to see competitive action. The swimming competition starts on July 28 while track and field and taekwondo begin on August 3 and 8 respectively.

Grenada's Athletic Chief confident of 4x400m Relay Team

File Photo/Bascombe

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, June 14, 2012 – The Grenada Athletics Association (GAA) is pulling out all stops to ensure that a 4x400m Relay team qualifies for the Olympic Games in London.

In the most recent Best Relay Performances issued by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Grenada is 20^th among the top relay teams. However, only the top 16 teams will qualify for the Games, opening on July 27.

The IAAF will announce the 16 teams to qualify on July 3, based on the aggregate of the two fastest times achieved in the qualification period of January 1, 2011 to July 2, 2012.

Officials of the GAA and the Grenada Olympic Committee (GOC) have been discussing with Grenadian quarter-milers the possibility of entering a relay team for the 2012 Sagicor Trinidad and Tobago’s Senior Track and Field Championships at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain next weekend.

World 400m champion Kirani James, along with finalist Rondell Bartholomew, Bralon Taplin and Joel Redhead are the athletes who are expected to make the trip to Trinidad.

Bartholomew, who has not run competitively for the season and Taplin are also expected to compete in the individual 400 metres.

President of the GAA, Charles George is confident that Grenada’s 4x400m relay team will be in the top 16 by the July 2 deadline.

“This is our best opportunity but hinges on the availability of our top athletes,” he said. “As it is, that is a possibility since Rondell (Bartholomew) has indicated his availability for competition coming off an injury”.

Taplin, who has Grenadian roots, is a new entry to the relay team but will be attempting to lower his personal best of 45.36 seconds. His target is to better the Olympic “A” Standard of 45.30.

George said that the GAA has been in regular contact with both James and Bartholomew along with their coaches and agents but declined to give specifics. He said that it is customary for the association (GAA) to keep in constant contact with the athletes and their management team, and especially in the lead up to major events like the World Championships and Olympics.

At the Penn Relays in Philadelphia in April, the team of Redhead, James, Kevin Bowen and Keron Toussaint was 12^th overall in 3:08.85. James had a second-leg split of 43.8 seconds.

Seven athletes have already qualified for the London Olympics. They are James (Men’s 400m), Bartholomew (Men’s 400m), Kanika Beckles (Women’s 400m), Redhead (Men’s 200m), Kurt Felix (Men’s Decathlon), Janelle Redhead (Women’s 200m) and Neisha Bernard-Thomas (Women’s 800m).

The team will also include Andrea St Bernard (Taekwondo) and Esau Simpson with a wildcard in swimming.

Relay quartet post national women's record

by Michael Bascombe

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, June 10, 2012 - Track and Field officials in Grenada are encouraged by the performances of some of the athletes who represented Grenada at the OECS Invitational Championships in St Kitts on Sunday.

Eight (8) athletes represented Grenada at the second edition of the track and field meet held at the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium in Basseterre.

The highlight of the Grenadian performances was the Women’s 4x100m Relay team which set a new national record of 44.95 seconds. The team of Sherine Wells, Janelle Redhead, Lucy Fortune and Trish Bartholomew erased a five year-old national mark of 45.41 seconds set by Ann-Marie Francis, Rena Mitchell, Allison George and Sherry Fletcher at the 2005 CARIFTA Games in Tobago.

The national team finished behind St Kitts and Nevis (44.90).

Also on the commendable side were Emron Gibbs and Janelle Redhead. Gibbs produced his personal best of 66.45 metres in the Men’s Javelin but behind Albert Reynolds of St Lucia who won with 71.55m. Gibbs’ previous best was 63.57m.

Redhead picked up Grenada’s lone gold medal in the seven-medal haul. She won the Women’s 200m in 23.21 seconds ahead of Kamaria Durant of Trinidad and Tobago (23.54) and Vigil Hodge of St Kitts and Nevis (23.58). Sherine Wells (23.72) and Trish Bartholomew (23.93) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Redhead also took bronze in the 100m “A” race in 11.78 seconds while Wells was second in the 100m “B” in 11.74 seconds.

Joel Redhead finished second in the 200m “A” race in 21.28 while Andon Mitchell was fourth in 21.49. Mitchell was also fifth in the 100m “A” race in 10.46. Kittian Kim Collins won the race in 10.09 seconds.

Lucy Fortune took the third position in the Women’s 400m in 56.32. She suffered from stomach cramps but managed to compete in the relay event.

The other athlete, Tevin McMeo was fourth in the Men’s 400m in 51.68.

St Kitts finished with the most medals – a total of 17 including six gold medals. There were also athletes representing Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.

Janelle Redhead of Grenada wins Women's 200m - OECS Invitational Meet

Amateur footage by Michael Bascombe

Event 5 Women 200 Meter Dash Open
=====================================================================
Name Year Team Finals Wind
=====================================================================
Finals
1 Redhead, Janelle Team Grenada 23.21 1.1
2 Durant, Kamaria Trinidad and Tobago 23.54 1.1
3 Hodge, Virgil St.Kitts & Nevis 23.58 1.1
4 Wells, Sherine Team Grenada 23.72 1.1
5 Bartholomew, Trish Team Grenada 23.93 1.1
6 Morton, Brittney St.Kitts & Nevis 24.61 1.1

Eight to represent Grenada at OECS Track Invitational

ST GEORGE’S, June 5, 2012 - Eight athletes will represent Grenada at the OECS Invitational Track & Field Meet at the Silver Jubilee Athletic Stadium in St Kitts on Sunday.

Top athletes from the Eastern Caribbean will be battling for athletic supremacy in the OECS as well as seek Olympic Qualifications for the London Olympics.

Competing in Basseterre on Sunday will be Andon Mitchell (100/200); Joel Redhead (200/400) Tevin McMeo (400); and Emron Gibbs (Javelin) among the men.

The female members include Janelle Redhead (100/200); Trish Bartholomew (200/400); Sherine Wells (100/200) and Lucy Fortune (400). The ladies will also compete in the 4x100m Relay.

Albert Joseph and Kerlon Peters will be accompanying the team to St Kitts.

Grenadian parliamentarian urging nationals to support Olympians

File Photo: Sen. Arley Gill

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, March 27, 2012 - A Grenadian Parliamentarian is urging his nationals to support their Olympians for the London 2012 Olympic Games this summer.

Senator Arley Gill, who is also the Culture Minister in the Grenada Government, said that this is the best opportunity for Grenada to medal at the Olympic Games, scheduled for July 27 to August 12, 2012.

“I believe that the entire nation must start rallying around our athletes for the 2012 Olympics. Not just Kirani (James) but Rondell (Bartholomew) and all the other athletes in 2012,” Senator Gill told a sitting of the Grenada Senate on Tuesday.

“August 2012 could very well be a watershed moment in the development of the country”.

Senator Gill suggested that a “Mini-Carnival” for the Olympics would be an excellent marketing strategy for the country.

“Those of us recalled that when Trinidad and Tobago qualified for the FIFA World Cup Finals in Germany that they send soca artistes and masqueraders,” he said.

Trinidad and Tobago, also known as the Soca Warriors, currently holds the record of being the smallest country to ever qualify for a FIFA World Cup Finals

“I think we need to do something on a smaller scale in London for 2012 Olympics”.

He said that with the recent success of Kirani James, sports tourism represents an exciting economic frontier for harvesting. “We must therefore support our national sportsmen and women in the different disciplines,” said Gill.

Five Grenadians – four in athletics and one in taekwondo - have already gained qualifying standards for the London 2012 Olympics. James, who is the current World 400 metres champion and Bartholomew, also a finalist at the IAAF World Championships in Athletics in Deagu, are among favourites in the Men’s quarter-mile.

Janelle Redhead and her brother Joel are the other two athletes to have earned qualifying times while Andrea St Bernard will be the first ever taekwondo athlete to represent Grenada at the Olympic Games.

Colleen Felix opens season with triple jump victory

by Michael Bascombe
NEW YORK, March 24, 2012 – There were contrasting results on the first official weekend of outdoor competition for Grenadian athletes in the United States.
Former Junior CARIFTA medallist Colleen Felix of the University of Georgia won the women’s triple jump at the Georgia Relays in Athens, Georgia on Saturday.

Felix tallied the nation’s leading mark in the triple jump during UG’s outdoor season opener. Felix, who won her second consecutive Southeastern Conference (SEC) indoor title in February, worked up to a jump of 13.13 metres on her fifth attempt to cruise to a victory. She was just short of the stadium record of 14.06m held by Grenadian Patricia Sylvester.

Felix also copped second spot in the javelin with a throw of 44.66m.

Also posting an impressive opener was Kanika Beckles (Texas A&M University) at the USC Trojan Invitational at the Loker Stadium in Los Angeles. Beckles was second in the women’s 400m in 53.94. Beckles also ran a split of 54.1 to help Texas A&M win the 4x400m Relay in 3:36.95.

At the LSU Relays in Louisiana, Neisha Bernard-Smith (Tiger Olympians) was third in the women’s 1500m in 4:29.37; Daryl Brathwaite (University of Akron) was fifth in the men’s long jump with 7.11m and Andon Mitchell (Unattached) was fourth in the men’s 100m in a windy (3.1) 10.40.

At the Alabama Relays in Tuscaloosa, Joel Redhead finished fourth in the men’s 400m Invitational in 48.01 while his sister Janelle (Wayland Baptist University) competed in the relays (6^th, 4x100m and 2^nd, 4x400m) at the Bobby Lane Invitational in Arlington, Texas. Sherine Wells (Oklahoma University) also competed in the sprints (10^th, 100m 11.81 and 10^th, 200m 24.47).

Melika Lewis, competing in her first outdoor meet since joining Monroe College in January, finished second in the women’s 200m (26.23) at the Monmouth Invitational.

Grenadian athletes open outdoor season this weekend

by Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, March 21, 2012 - Several Grenadian track and field athletes will open their outdoor season this weekend at various meets across the United States.

Joel Redhead opens his 2012 campaign at the Alabama Relays in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and will be competing in the 400 metres.

Redhead, who is based in Mississippi, has already secured the “B” qualification for the 200m.

Also expected to compete this weekend are Janelle Redhead (Wayland Baptist University), Sherine Wells (University of Oklahoma), Colleen Felix (University of Georgia), Kanika Beckles (Texas A&M University), Neisha Bernard-Smith (adidas), Andon Mitchell (unattached), Daryl Baptiste (University of Akron), Lucy Fortune (South Plains College), Melika Lewis (Monroe College), Jomo Bullen, and brothers Elston and Leston Alexis (Medgar Evers College).

Redhead (Janelle) and Wells will compete at the Bobby Lane Invitational at the Maverick Stadium in Arlington, Texas while Felix attempts the triple jump and javelin events at the Georgia Relays in Athens, Georgia.

Beckles, who last week posted a windy 23.73 seconds (4.2 wind) in the 200m at the Baldy Castillo Invitational in Tempe, Arizona, will again be trekking across the West to compete at the USC Trojan Invitational in Los Angeles, California.

The LSU (Louisiana State University) Relays in Baton Rouge, Louisiana will see three Grenadians in competition. Bernard-Smith (formerly Bernard-Thomas) competes in the women’s 1500m; Mitchell in the men’s 100m and Baptiste in the men’s 100m and long jump events.

Fortune makes her second outdoor appearance on the weekend at the UTEP (University of Texas El Paso) Invitational in El Paso, Texas. Earlier this month, Fortune won the 100m in 12.23 at the West Texas Invitational.

Also expected in competition this weekend are Melika Lewis in the 200 and 400m at the Monmouth Invitational in New Jersey and Jomo Bullen, Elston and Leston Alexis at the Queen’s College Invitational.

Lewis will compete in the 200 and 400m; Bullen in the 100, 200 and possibly 400m and the brothers in the shot put, discuss, javelin and possibly the hammer.

Meantime, Kurt Felix (Boise State University) competes in the Decathlon at the Texas Relays next Wednesday and Thursday.

A National Sports Hall of Fame

                                                

By Michael Bascombe

Legendary Donald Pierre

One of the biggest lessons learnt from Grenada’s campaign at last weekend’s IAAF World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey is to prepare for disappointments during the careers of our top flight competitors – Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew.

James’ failed attempt at the World Indoor 400 metre title last weekend is a clear indication of the ups and downs we must expect during his career. It’s no different to Bartholomew’s disappointment in Daegu, South Korea last summer. Bartholomew entered the IAAF World Championships in Athletics as a favourite with a world leading time of 44.65 seconds. However, he was the victim of a long season and finished outside of the medals.

He decided to skip the indoor season this year and concentrate on competition starting in late spring.

James on the other hand, started the season with a bang, winning permit meets in Boston, Arkansas and Stockholm, Sweden but missed out on adding a second world title to his short but distinguished professional career.

Retired quarter-miler Alleyne Francique won the 2004 edition in Budapest, Hungary and repeated that performance in Moscow, Russia two years later.

I was particularly impressed with the 19 year-old acceptance of defeat. He displayed great maturity in his post-race interviews. He has been described as a true ‘champion’.

It was also a disappointed weekend for Colleen Felix (University of Georgia) and Kurt Felix (Boise State University) at the NCAA Indoor Championships in Idaho. Colleen, a favourite in the women’s triple jump, only managed one successful jump while Kurt (DNF) in the men’s heptathlon after a no height in the pole vault and a (DNS) in the 1,000 metres.

But despite the inclement weather at home there were the National Athletics Championships at the stadium and the opening of the “Grenada Super League” organised by the Grenada Football Association in Grenville, St Andrew.

I was also happy to hear that our longstanding sports administrator, Veda Bruno-Victor was unanimously re-elected to the executive committee of the Pan American Sport Organisation (PASO) at their meeting in Mexico this week.

Founded on August 8, 1948, Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), comes with the mission to strengthen the bonds of union and friendship between the peoples of the Americas, to encourage and promote sports development. PASO, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), comprises 42 member countries.

It was announced in the 2012 Budget Presentation that the Grenada Government has decided that the secondary stands at the National Cricket Stadium will be named in honour of former West Indies cricketers Junior Murray and Rawl Lewis.

But except for an increased in the budgetary allocation for tourism marketing, nothing has been said about sports tourism. How are we positioning ourselves to benefit from the foundation being laid by our sportsmen and women?

We are into the track and field season and the names of Kirani James and Rondell Bartholomew would be highlighted among world ranked athletes. The Jason Roberts Foundation and the Shalrie Joseph Soccer Academy are two additional areas of sports tourism interests. What is the role of the Grenada Board of Tourism to capitalise on this mega-marketing initiative?

Jason Roberts should be given the role as a lead spokesman for the Olympics-bound Team Grenada, given his status in the UK media. He is a true sports ambassador!

While on the Olympics, it’s becoming clearer that Grenada’s medal hopes will lie in the individual events, particularly in the men’s 400m. It’s highly unlikely that a 4x400m relay team will qualify for London.

The uncertainty surrounding Bartholomew and possible knee surgery for Joel Phillip would certainly hamper chances of a relay team qualifying. Bartholomew skipped the indoor season and there is no word as to when he will open his outdoor campaign. Phillip, who has a personal best of 45.29 seconds, has been in training but up until this month announced that he has to undergo knee surgery. This leaves James and Joel Redhead as the only two sureties.

The 2013 World Championships in Athletics in Moscow, Russia should be on target for the relay team.

Finally, the time has come for the authorities to start thinking on establishing a National Sports Hall of Fame. This will certainly put to rest the unnecessary chatter about recognition of our sports legends who have blazed the trails and paved the way for many of our current sportsmen and women.

This Hall of Fame, part of an evolving national sports policy, should be seen as another way to honour the lifetime achievements of our greatest sportsmen, women and administrators. A Hall of Fame Selection Panel could be created to administer the process by which these nominees will be inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame.

The likes of Donald Pierre, Maurice “Bull” Williams, Tyrone “Sampat” Harbin, Victor Joseph, Theophilus “Papitette” Redhead, James “Ox” Johnson, Oswald Clovey, Evelyn Gresham, Joseph “Joe” Gibbs, Walter St John, Alston “Heads” George, Raymond Anthony, Kenny Hobson, Veda Bruno-Victor, Janice Celestine, Harold “Flash” Williams, Bernard “Bunny” Wilson, among others are certain to have their names etched into the Hall of Fame.

Janelle Redhead shines at NAIA Indoor Champs

by Michael Bascombe

GENEVA, OH, March 3, 2012 – Grenada’s Janelle Redhead copped gold and silver medals and also established two school marks at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Indoor Track and Field Championships at the Spire Institute here on Saturday.

Redhead (Wayland Baptist) captured the women’s 400m title in 53.25 seconds, eclipsing the school’s record of 54.59 seconds and also missing out on the National Championship record of 53.05 seconds.

She was ahead of Verone Chambers of Jamaica (Oklahoma Baptist) in 53.39 seconds and Stacy Warrior (Oklahoma Baptist) in 54.03.

Redhead also turned in a school record when she finished second in the 200m with an indoor personal best of 23.11 seconds to better her previous best of 23.68 in Fayetteville last month and the school’s 24.02 set by Kimberly Smith in 2010.

Redhead also combined with Bianca Grant, Leandria Lee and Natasha Gay in the women’s 4x400m Relay to finish fourth in 3:43.59.

Redhead and her teammates will now prepare for the outdoor season which begins on March 24 with the Bobby Lane Invitational at the University of Texas – Arlington.

“I will be concentrating on the sprints for the outdoor season but will compete in at least one 400m,” Redhead said following the NAIA Championships.

Last April she ran her personal best of 22.91 and is aiming to go low 22 this season. “Once I stay healthy and free from any injury I believe I could achieve this target,” she said.

“I am in good shape despite some soreness with the hamstring.”

Redhead, like her brother Joel, is a founding member of SpeedZone Track Club and is attempting to improve on her Olympic Qualifying time in the 200m.

Joel Redhead prepares himself for London 2012

by Michael Bascombe

STARKVILLE, Mississippi, February 29, 2012 - World 400m Champion Kirani James is not the only Grenadian athlete with his sights set on an Olympic medal in London this summer.

Not much is known about 24 year-old Joel Redhead, a determined track competitor who has been battling adversities.

Redhead, the brother of Janelle Redhead, 2011 IAAF Women’s World 200m semi-finalist, has been preparing himself for the competition of his life – London Olympic Games.

Redhead, who doubles in the 200m and 400m, will open his 2012 season next month competing in the one-lap event.

“I will be competing in the 400m but the emphasis on competition will be in the 200m,” he said in an interview from his training base in Mississippi.

Redhead, a founding member of the SpeedZone Track Club, has joined two other Grenadian athletes who have sat out the indoor season in preparation for the Olympics. German-based triple jumper Randy Lewis and quarter-miler Rondell Bartholomew have decided to concentrate on outdoor competition this year.

Redhead said he is about 80 per cent ready for competition this year and is working to ensure that he peaks at the right time.

“I started training in February last season and by May was running 20.57 and 46.20, so my coach believes I could do better this season,” Redhead said. “I am trying to keep a calm mind, stress free and get myself focus for competition,” he added with confidence.

He said that his goal is to reach the final of the Olympic Games. “I am capable of running quality times in both the 200m and 400m but my coach will make a decision based on my progression,” he said.

Redhead was scheduled to compete at the 2011 World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea but withdrew due to injury and logistical issues. He has admitted that the performances of James, Bartholomew and his sister in Daegu are motivating factors for him to succeed this year.

“One if the things motivating me is the performances of the athletes at the World Champs last year,” he said. “Kirani and Rondell in the final and how my sister reached the semis are encouragement to train harder.”

He is in regular contact with all three athletes. “We have a mutual friendship where we keep in touch regularly. Both Kirani and Rondell always inquire about my training. We care about each other.” 

Felix and Redhead earn Athletes of the Week

NEW YORK, February 14, 2012 – Kurt Felix and Janelle Redhead of Grenada earned themselves top honours in their respective conferences this week.

Felix of Boise State University earned his second straight Mountain West Men’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week honour in as many weeks.

According to the school’s website, the Grenadian athlete shared the award with Ross Millington of New Mexico.

Felix won the Men’s Heptathlon title at the Boise State Team Challenge last weekend, setting new Mountain West and Boise State all-time records, respectively, by tallying 5,771 points to capture the individual crown, the website said.

He also set a new Jacksons Indoor Track facility record in the process. During the heptathlon, Felix set a career-best mark in the long jump (7.66m) and a season-best mark of 2.14m in the high jump.

Felix also earned the athlete of the week award on February 7, 2012.

Meantime, for the second week in a row Redhead and her Wayland University’s teammate Kennedy Kithuka have been names as Sooner Athletic Conference Women’s and Men’s Track Athletes of the Week.

Redhead turned in the best time in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in the 200 metres and set a new school record in 23.68 seconds. Redhead also met the automatic qualifying standard in the 60m with a time of 7.47, the third-fastest in the NAIA this indoor season, competing at the Tyson Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

James takes aim at World Indoor title

File: Reuters

By Michael Bascombe

FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, February 11, 2012 – 2011 World 400m champion Kirani James of Grenada continues to improve on his indoor campaign with another world leading time of 45.19 seconds at the USA Track & Field (USATF) Classic at the University of Arkansas’ Randal Tyson Centre here on Saturday.

It was James’ second victory in as many outings as he prepares himself for a shot at the World Indoor title, twice won by his fellow Grenadian Alleyne Francique.

The Grenadian champion was always considered the favourite in the two-heats timed final on what’s considered one of the fastest indoor tracks in the United States.

Bahamian Demetrius Pinder set the pace with an opening 45.40 seconds to win the first race but the 19 year-old Grenadian lowered that mark as he won the second race in an impressive 45.19, ahead of Americans Calvin Smith, former USA Indoor champion Jamaal Torrence and Olympic bronze medallist David Neville.

Pinder copped the second spot and Smith was third overall in 45.73 seconds.

James will next compete in the XL-Galan Stockholm Indoor Meeting in Sweden on Thursday February 23 before his major indoor challenge at the World Indoors in Istanbul, Turkey, March 9-11.
Earlier, Kurt Felix and Janelle Redhead posted personal marks.

Felix of Boise State University won the Men’s Heptathlon in a personal best of 5,771 points after seven events at the Boise State University Team Challenge at the Jackson Track in Nampo, Idaho. His previous best was 5,691 points at the same meet last February.

Felix won the long jump (7.66m), shot put (12.86m) and the high jump (2.14m). He was second in the 60m dash (7.11secs), third in the 60m hurdles (8.51 secs), third in the pole vault (4.45m) and fourth in the 1,000m (2:51.01).

The former Junior Carifta Games’ champion wrapped up his win shortly after World 200m semi-finalist Janelle Redhead ran a personal indoor best in the 200m at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre.

Redhead, of Wayland Baptist University, finished sixth in 23.68 seconds to better her previous indoor best of 23.75 seconds clocked at the same facility exactly one year ago.

Also competing was Sherine Wells of Oklahoma University who was 25^th overall in 24.32 seconds.

Both athletes also competed in the women’s 60 metres dash on Friday with Wells clocking 7.48secs in 14^th position and Redhead, two places behind, in 7.59secs.

Over at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles was 23^rd overall in the 200m in 25.36 seconds.

Kurt Felix posts personal best to win Heptathlon

By Michael Bascombe

NAMPA, Idaho, February 11, 2012 - Grenadians Kurt Felix and Janelle Redhead posted personal marks at indoor track and field meets in the United States this weekend.

Felix of Boise State University won the Men’s Heptathlon in a personal best of 5,771 points after seven events at the Boise State University Team Challenge at the Jackson Track in Nampo, Idaho. His previous best was 5,691 points at the same meet last February.

Felix won the long jump (7.66m), shot put (12.86m) and the high jump (2.14m). He was second in the 60m dash (7.11secs), third in the 60m hurdles (8.51 secs), third in the pole vault (4.45m) and fourth in the 1,000m (2:51.01).

The former Junior Carifta Games’ champion wrapped up his win shortly after World 200m semi-finalist Janelle Redhead ran a personal indoor best in the 200m at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre.

Redhead, of Wayland Baptist University, finished sixth in 23.68 seconds to better her previous indoor best of 23.75 seconds clocked at the same facility exactly one year ago.

Also competing was Sherine Wells of Oklahoma University who was 25^th overall in 24.32 seconds.

Both athletes also competed in the women’s 60 metres dash on Friday with Wells clocking 7.48secs in 14^th position and Redhead, two places behind, in 7.59secs.

Over at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles was 23^rd overall in the 200m in 25.36 seconds and will also compete in the 4x400m Relay at the Texas A&M Invitational.

Also to compete later on Saturday is World 400m champion and current indoor world leader Kirani James. James runs against a revamped line-up which includes Americans Calvin Smith, Jamaal Torrence and David Neville in the second of two races.

Redhead ran PB in 200m Indoor

File Photo: Janelle Redhead

by Michael Bascombe
FAYETTEVILLE, Arkansas, February 11, 2012 – Top Grenadian sprinter Janelle Redhead ran a personal indoor best in the 200m at the Tyson Invitational at Randal Tyson Track Centre here on Saturday.

Redhead, of Wayland Baptist University, finished sixth in 23.68 seconds to better her previous indoor best of 23.75 seconds clocked at the same facility exactly one year ago.

Also competing was Sherine Wells of Oklahoma University who was 25^th overall in 24.32 seconds.

Both athletes also competed in the women’s 60 metres dash on Friday with Wells clocking 7.48secs in 14^th position and Redhead, two places behind, in 7.59secs.

Also to compete later on Saturday is World 400m champion and current indoor world leader Kirani James. James runs against Demetrius Pinder of the Bahamas and Jamaal Torrence and David Neville of the United States in the second of two races.

Over at Jackson Track in Nampa, Idaho, Kurt Felix continues to chase the 5,000-points mark in the Men’s Heptathlon at the Boise State University Team Challenge. Felix has so far totalled 4,270 points after five of the seven events.

He won the long jump (7.66m), shot put (12.86m) and the high jump (2.14m). He was second in the 60m dash (7.11secs) and third in the 60m hurdles (8.51 secs). Felix needs a minimum of 1,421 points in the remaining two events – pole vault and 1,000m – to better his indoor best of 5,691 points at the same facility.

Over at the Gilliam Indoor Track Stadium in College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles competes in the 200m and 4x400m Relay at the Texas A&M Invitational.

Grenadian athletes intensify preparations this weekend

File Photo: Kirani James

By Michael Bascombe

NEW YORK, February 10, 2012 - A number of Grenadian athletes will be competing in various track and field meets across the United States this weekend.

Chief among them will be World 400m champion Kirani James who will compete in the USA Track & Field Classic in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

James opened his 2012 season with a world leading 45.96 at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston last weekend. James’ challengers include Demitrius Pinder, Tabari Henry, Calvin Smith, LaJerald Betters, David Neville, Jamaal Torrence, Joshua Smith and Miles Smith in a timed final.

An impressive performance on Saturday should put the world champion in pole position for the Indoor title at the World Championships in Istanbul, Turkey in one month’s time.

James may be the lone quarter-miler for Grenada at the World Indoors since his compatriot Rondell Bartholomew will skip the indoor season.

“I have decided to concentrate on outdoor competition this year and will skip the indoors,” said Bartholomew. “I had a long season last year and reflected on my disappointment in finishing outside of the medals”.

File Photo: Kurt Felix

Bartholomew, who finished sixth in the final, believes he has gained valuable experience in 2011 and looks forward to an ‘explosive’ season this year.

Coincidentally, both Bartholomew and James recorded their personal best timings in the 400m indoor at the Randal Tyson Centre in Arkansas last February. Bartholomew clocked a PB of 45.84 on February 11, 2011 and two weeks later on February 26, James recorded his personal best of 44.80.

Also skipping the indoor season this year will be Randy Lewis. The Germany-based triple jumper, who underwent knee surgery last year, said that his goal is to prepare for the Olympic Games in London this summer. “My main focus is going to be on the summer season,” he said.

File Photo: Sherine Wells

However, there are other athletes who will be destined to record qualifying marks in other competitions this weekend.

The USA Track & Field Classic is being held in conjunction with the 2012 Tyson Invitational which will also include Janelle Redhead, Sherine Wells, and Keron Toussaint.

Redhead of Wayland Baptist University and Wells of Oklahoma University will compete in the 60m, 200m and the 4x400m relay while Toussaint, a former Kansas University sprinter, runs in the 400m.

Over at College Point, Texas, Kanika Beckles will make her debut for Texas A&M under coach Alleyne Francique at the Texas A&M Invitational. She will compete in the 200m and the 4x400m relay.

Joel Redhead is expected to run the 400m at the Vulcan Invitational in Birmingham, Alabama and Kurt Felix of Boise State University, who copped the double in the long and high jumps in the competition last weekend, will compete in the Men’s Heptathlon at the Boise State University’s Team Challenge in Nampa, Idaho.

Felix takes top honours at Indoor T&F Meet

by Michael Bascombe

BOISE, Idaho – Former Junior CARIFTA Games multi medallist Kurt Felix secured his first major recognition this season when he earned the men’s honour for Boise State University at the Mountain West Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week Honours.

The Grenadian athlete earned first-place honours in the men’s long jump and men’s high jump events respectively at the Bronco Classic last weekend.

He set a new personal-best mark in the long jump, recording a leap of 7.48 metres to win the event. Tha mark ranks fourth in Mountain West history and 27^th in the nation this season.

Felix also notched a season-best high jump of 2.09m, which is tied for first in the Mountain West and 6^th in the NCAA this year.

At the New Balance Collegiate Invitational in New York, Sherine Wells finished 20^th in the preliminaries of the 60-metre dash championship in 7.50 for Oklahoma University and ran 24.47 in the preliminaries of the 200-metre dash championship.

Over in Lubbock, Texas, Janelle Redhead established a new school record for Wayland Baptist University in the 400 metres with her winning time of 54.09 seconds at the Texas Tech Indoor Open.

Also competing in this meet was Lucy Fortune for South Plains College. She was 20^th overall in 59.71 seconds.
Compiled from reports

Weekend major conference and honouring of sporting heroes

By Lincoln Depradine

St. George’s, January 17, 2012 – Dozens of journalists from regional and international media are expected in Grenada this weekend for an important trade and business meeting involving representatives from the United Kingdom and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The journalists will be here primarily to cover the 7^th UK-Caribbean Forum. However, their visit coincides with the honouring of track star, Kirani James, and the hosting of the 2011 National Sports Award at the Grenada Trade Centre in Morne Rouge, St. George’s.

The UK-Caribbean Forum is held every two years for the purpose of what has been described as “establishing priority areas for cooperation, discussing key areas of concern and proposing mechanisms to facilitate greater collaboration’’ between Britain and CARICOM nations.

The Grenada get-together, to be hosted by Foreign Minister Karl Hood, will be held over three, starting Friday, January 20, at the Grenadian By Rex Resort.

Minister Hood will be joined by his foreign affairs counterparts from other Caribbean countries; CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRoque; and a UK delegation headed by Foreign Secretary, Hon. William Hague.

“The UK’s relationship with the Caribbean should be a broad-based partnership that involves business, civil society and ordinary people,’’ Mr. Hague said. “That is why I am so pleased that we are starting the Forum with a meeting of UK and Caribbean companies.’’

The Forum closes Sunday afternoon with a 12-overs’ cricket match at the SSU Grounds at Point Saline. A team of UK ministers and officials will compete against a CARICOM squad led by Foreign Minister Hood.

For the visiting journalists, their presence is also an opportunity to cover Saturday afternoon’s event at which Lagoon Road will be renamed after James, the current World 400 meter champion.

Saturday’s unveiling of the Kirani James Boulevard, as well as a roundabout to be named after athletic coach and former 400 meter indoor record holder, Alleyne Francique, will be attended by government officials and representatives of the Grenada Olympic Committee.

On Saturday evening, 19-year-old James will be attending the National Sports Awards where he is one of the nominees for Grenada’s Male Athletes of the Year.

James and Janelle Redhead, a women’s 200 meter semifinalist at the 2011 World Championships in South Korea, are among 16 male and female athletes vying for the top sportsman and sportswoman awards.

The keynote speaker at the awards’ ceremony is Trinidad Olympic medalist, Ato Boldon.

Another Trinidadian who will be in Grenada to deliver an address is journalist, Tony Fraser. He is the featured speaker at Sunday’s 6^th annual awards’ ceremony of the Media Workers Association of Grenada (MWAG) at the Trade Centre.

“We are very excited that Tony has agreed to come and speak at the awards,” said MWAG president Rawle Titus.