ELQUEMEDO’S 73

Today Friday 1 st May, is a significant day in the life of

Elquemedo Tonito Willet.

In a pre- recorded interview with Sports Journalist,

Curtis Morton, Willet noted that today makes him 73

years of age, but interestingly 53 years ago, on the

9 th March 1973, he made his debut for the West

Indies team as 19-year-old teenager.

He created history, in being the first Nevisian and

indeed the first Leeward Islander, to make it to the

prestigious team.

In reminiscing on his sporting past, Willet recalled

the days when he was the sole Sports officer on

Nevis, with responsibility for sporting related

activities within the Primary Schools across the

island.

Those days, he had no means of transportation and

so he walked a lot and travelled via public transport,

in order to get to the various schools.

He eventually served as a Sports officer for 34 plus

years.

He is happy that some of the persons he coached,

actually made it into the West indies team, such as

Stuart Williams, Runako Morton and Kieran Powell.

As regards his not being knighted, he stated matter

of factly, that the persons in authority may believe

that such designations are strictly for politicians.

His message to young cricketers is keep away from

bad company, stay clear of illegal drugs, train hard

and play cricket at every opportunity.

We extend Birthday blessings to the great man.