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Kelly's World Awards 2015

Published:Monday | December 28, 2015 | 3:18 PM
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AP
Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller gives President Obama her trademark hug and kiss following the conclusion of their bilateral meeting at Jamaica House in Kingston.
Ricardo Makyn
Frater
AP
This June 27, 2002 file photo shows the Blue Mountains, seen from the Cinchona Gardens in St. Peter, Jamaica. Jamaica's lush Blue and John Crow Mountains have become the island's first UNESCO World Heritage site. The Ministry of Youth and Culture said Friday, July 3, 2015 that it's the first such cultural and natural site for the Caribbean sub region.
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God knows, 2015 was one of those years where it looks like every and anything happened.

Fortunately, the Kelly's World Awards Committee got some much-needed infusion of capital last year, so we are able to hand out a few more awards than for 2014 (Whew!). So here goes.

Big Up Unnu

Self Awards

Go to Jamaicans who were conferred with or awarded various accolades in 2015: Professor Verene Shepherd,

elected to United Nations Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; former Chief

Justice Edward Zacca, knighted; Jamaican businesswoman Valrie Grant named Commonwealth Woman Entrepreneur of the Year; Michael Frater is now a member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Athletes' Commission.

No Weh Nuh Betta Dan Yaad

Jamaica's Blue and John Crow Mountains inscribed to UNESCO's Prestigious World Heritage List. Kingston later designated a UNESCO City of Music.

Foot-In-Mouth Award

Former Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson and the 'dead babies' affair. Nuff said!

Bomb Rush Award

The number of people who showed up to beat the deadline for passport fee increase.

DWL Moment of the Year

Steve Harvey announcing the wrong winner for the Miss Universe pageant. Generated memes galore.

Proud To Be Jamaican Moments of the Year

There were many, so I'll pick out a few of the sports ones. World Championships in Beijing, Jamaica finishes with 12 medals overall, including seven gold, second on medal table in terms of quality of medals. Special Olympians bring back 29 medals from Los Angeles games. Jamaica's CAC Youth Chess team wins championship - first English-speaking Caribbean team to do so. Jamaica wins Caribbean Area Squash Association senior championships. Jamaica also wins CAZOVA under-19 volleyball title. Jamaica takes record haul of six medals at Youth Commonwealth Games - four gold, one silver and one bronze. Jamaica's girl gymnasts finish first overall in Caribbean Gymnastics Championships. I could go on, but I'm tired.

Glad Bag Buss Award

Goes to Novlene Williams-Mills, whose massive anchor leg brought Jamaica 4x400 gold at said World Championships.

My Sports Woman

of the Year

Alia Atkinson. Breaks Jamaican 100-metre breaststroke record then wins bronze at World Swimming Championships in Russia. She then breaks the national 50-metre breaststroke record in winning bronze, destroyed National Record to win 100-metre breaststroke gold at FINA World Cup in Dubai. She also won gold in 50-metre breaststroke in 30.26.

Nail Biter of the Year

Jamaica advances to semi-final round of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers with last-gasp goal against Nicaragua.

Mighty Have Fallen Award

Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini banned for eight years from Fifa. The entire FIFA corruption scandal was a black eye for the sport.

Visit of the Year

United States President Barack Obama no doubt! Road all get fix 'cause a dat! Granted, him neva really bring nutten, but because a black man, everybody line up outta street fi see him.

Go Back a Yuh Yaad Award

British Prime Minister David Cameron. Yes, he brought a Caribbean development grant, but the 'get over slavery' argument was murder, and the prison proposal didn't help either.

Non-story of the Year

Andrew's house. Seriously, people! Enough already!

Here We Go Again Award

Riverton fire, this time arguably the biggest ever. People all lose di work over it.

The Never-Ending

Story Award

The Tivoli Enquiry.

Musical Chairs Award

Goes to both People's National Party and the Jamaica Labour Party for constantly switching candidates before the impending general election. Quite frankly, I've lost count of the number of the persons who were voted in, then voted out, then renamed as candidate, etc, etc. Whoever waan run, run!

International News

Items of the Year

Unfortunately, it was all bad news. The terrorist attacks on France, the massive earthquake in Nepal, and the thousands of migrants fleeing Syria into Western Europe.

Mek Wi Fret Award

The water crisis. Every year it's the same thing and still no new reservoirs or dams in sight.

Black Eye of the Year

Murders went back up as did road fatalities.

Well, I think that's about all I have space for. Whole heap more tings did deh deh, but I've made my point. Let's hope 2016 is less hectic. I can't take the pressure.