By Trevor Thwaites (St. George's correspondent)


ST.GEORGE's, Grenada: Athletes Alleyne Francique and Neisha Bernard Thomas have been named the 2005 sports personalities of Grenada. They easily got the nod over a field of more than 20 other sports personalities, who vied for the prestigious awards at the Flambouyant Hotel last Saturday in Morne Rouge. The occasion was graced by His Excellency Sir Daniel Williams, who presented some of the awards and Dr Gloudon Iva Director of UW1’s Sports and Physical Education Centre, who was the quest speaker.

Francique was virtually a runaway winner in the men’s division. Although not being at the top his game as he did in 2004, when he was the top 400 metres runner in the world, he turned in some impressive performances last year. He won the 400 metres at the outdoor meeting in Osaka Japan and placed third in the event in Dohar Qatar. Francique ran a brisk 44.60 to capture the event in Monterrey Mexico and finished second in the Reveretteo Grand Prix in Italy.

His adopted mother Ms Cathlyn Olive is proud of the achievements of the country’s most revered athlete. “I am proud and honoured to have collected his award,” she told The Grenadian Voice.

She said that Francique is determined to win gold at the next Olympic Games in Seoul in 2008. “He wants the gold to make Grenada proud,” she said. It is the third consecutive year that Francique has won the award. For Neisha Bernard Thomas, it is her first hold on the Sportswoman of the year title. The 800 metre runner scored several successes during the period. She successfully defended her 800m championship Title at the Central American and Caribbean Championships in Nassau Bahamas, while breaking the national record in a time - 2:01.57.

Bernard Thomas also powered to victories in the IAAF Reebok Grand Prix, the IAAF Norwich Union British Grand Prix in London England and the Minove Memorial Geert Rasschaert event in Belgium. Her mother Mrs Patricia Bernard-Gibson, who received the award, said that she was happy to do so on her daughter’s behalf. She said that Nisha is training diligently with the aim of winning a medal at the Seoul Olympics.Several athletes vied for the Sports personalities Awards. They included basketball players Christene Stevens and Michael Bonaparte, Cricketers Debbie Lewis and Devon Smith, Footballers Rackel Hood and Shane Derby, Tennis players Lois Alexis and Aaron Moses Jr., Swimmers Kian Ashby and Tuesday Watts, Boxer Jaime Bullen, Netballer Jeneil Jacob, Karate, Triathletes Marc DeCaul and Clare Morrall and Sailor Shakeen Collins. Special awards were also presented to Sports administrators Evelyn Frederick and Claudius George of St. Andrew.