SVGCA to honour past presidents tomorrow

The SVG Cricket Association said on Wednesday that it will hold a fund raising dinner this Saturday April 29, in honour of two outstanding former presidents and one great fast bowler.

This will be at Government House from 7pm, under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne.{{more}}

Those who will be honoured are Dr. Gideon Cordice who led the Association from the mid 1960’s, to the mid 1980’s, Lennox John who succeeded Dr. Gideon Cordice and served until 2004, and Frank Mason the forerunner of the great fast bowlers from St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

A number of leading companies in the country have pledged their support for the fund raising dinner to honour these three outstanding Vincentians.

Former President Gideon Cordice presided over the Association during the period when the Arnos Vale Playing Field was developed, and the country hosted its first ODI against England.

Former President Lennox John was responsible for the modern development of cricket in the state, including the many youth programmes which led to the rise of cricketers such as Ian Allen, Cameron Cuffy and Nixon Mc lean. Under his watch, the country hosted the first test match in the Windward Islands against Sri Lanka.

Frank Mason was considered by many to be unlucky not to have been selected to the West Indies team. During his time he was the leading fast bowler in the Windward Islands. He also made a sterling contribution to the field of cricket administration and umpiring.

Saturday’s function will hear short addresses from the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne, the Minister responsible for Sports, Glen Beache, and the President of the Association Julian Jack. There will be responses from the honourees.

The function will take the form of a cocktail, to be followed by the dinner and the honouring ceremony.