Nominations open Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence in the field of sports.



The award, which is administered by the CHASE Fund, is the brainchild of former Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson in recognition of the achievements of world-class cricketer Courtney Walsh.



The successful nominee will receive a cash award of $500,000 along with the prestigious Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence Trophy.



Among the criterias is that nominees must display a high level of integrity, national pride, dedication, decorum, humility and discipline, both on and off the field.



Nominees must have represented Jamaica at a senior level in a sport recognised by the Jamaica Institute of Sports and the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) and must consistently displayed outstanding ability in sports.



However, Senator Arthur Williams, state minister for finance, has challenged the administrators of the Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence to include among the criterias that athletes should be tax compliance.



Former West Indies cricketer won the first award in 2005, followed by hurdler and 1996 Olympic Gold Medallist, Deon Hemmings-McCatty, netballer Elaine Davis, cricketer Nehemiah Perry and hurdler Brigitte Foster-Hylton.