The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

CHRIS ‘Fireman’ Brown said he was disappointed he could not be home on Saturday night to receive his Cacique Award, but he was delighted he could be in Grenada to assist in making their inaugural Grenada Invitational a tremendous success.

“It was a very successful event and I’m very pleased that we met all expectations,” said Brown, who served as athletes’ liaison to the Local Organising Committee.

“It was obvious that this event was needed because from the time I agreed to assist in getting the athletes here, the people really responded favourably.”

As a run off from the hosting of his first two Chris Brown Bahamas Invitational events in the Bahamas that was put on the shelf this year due to lack of funding, Brown said it showed that there is a need for meet events such as the Grenada Invitational to be held in the region.

“I think it was a great move here and they are looking forward to having it again,” he pointed out. “I’m here if they need me because I’m not in a rush to jump on doing my event again anytime soon.

“I’m not going to force my way back into trying to do the CBBI in the Bahamas. The focus right now is to try and to build the region and hopefully put the region in a positive light.”

With so many events on the agenda in the Bahamas, including the third edition of the IAAF World Relays, scheduled for April 22-23 at Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, Brown admitted that he knows he would have encountered some problems when he was trying to launch his third edition on the CBBI that would have been on April 8.

“It’s unfortunate that I wasn’t able to do it with so many events going on,” stated Brown, who gave up his date to the Grenada LOC for their meet. “But it is what it is. I want to thank the Government of the Bahamas for the support they rendered when they did for the first two editions.

“I also want to thank the LOC for the time and effort that they put into making those two events a success. Right now, I didn’t have any talks or any engagement with the powers that be to bring the CBBI back, but hopefully they can see the value that I bring to the table and we can have that conversation.”

At the same token, Brown said he’s open to having discussions with any other Caribbean Islands who are willing to engage him in bringing a world class competition.

“We had athletes from all over, including the USA, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Africa and even Europe, St Lucia, St Kitts, Barbados,” he said. “All of our Caribbean islands are beautiful and they have something to offer.

“So if they call, I will answer the call and if they are ready, I’m here and ready to go and make it happen once they pick a date that doesn’t conflict with any of the meets already on the calendar.”

Looking at the one day meet at the newly minted Kirani James National Stadium, Abaco native stole some of the spotlight when he posted a world leading time in lowering his national record to 44.26 seconds, .01 of his previous mark, in winning the B 400m final.

James, who had the stadium named after him immediately at the close of the meet won the A final in 45.44.

“I think everyone performed well, but Steven had a great performance,” said Brown of his local arch rival. “I think that night was just a spectacular night for him.

“He showed that he’s ready to go and he went out there and he executed the perfect race and came out with the victory, a national record and a world leader. So congratulations to him. He has a bright future.”

With this just April, Brown said it was asking a lot for the majority of the athletes to be in tip top shape as Gardiner because a lot of them are still coming of their off season training.

“But I want to say thank you to the athletes, the coaches and the agents who all came and performed and performed very well,” he stressed.

“Most of them won’t open up until May or June, so for so many of them to buy into this competing in this meet, I’m very humble and honored that they responded and they responded so well.”

While he was in Grenada acting as a meet promoter, the Ministry of Tourism was honoring Brown as the recipient of the Cecil Rose Sports and Leisure award at the 17th Cacique Awards that was held on Saturday night.

“I don’t think it has sunk in yet for me, but I’m very honored to receive such a prestigious award,” Brown said. “Sorry I wasn’t able to be there for the ceremony.

“It just goes to show that when you wait on God and you are patient and you allow him to lead, he will bless you above and beyond what you can conceive.”

In accepting the award that was collected by his sisters on his behalf, Brown expressed his gratitude to all the persons who made it possible for him to get the recognition.

“I continue to wave the 242 banner wherever I go. That’s not going to change,” he proclaimed. “I’m very honored to have received the award. I will continue to represent and do my best to be appositive role model wherever I go.”

In the meantime, Brown expressed his gratitude to Michael Bascombe and Dexter Mitchell for allowing him to work with the LOC and to also afford him a few days of to relax in Grenada so he can refocus his energy on training.

“I just want to thank them for allowing me to come into their home and help to give Kirani a great show in his first professional meet at home,” he stated.

“I also want to thank the fans for coming out and helping to sell out the event two weeks before it was held. Hopefully we can see everyone back on board in 2018.”

The event, carried live on ESPN, could not have been successful with the support of Dianne Woodside, who served as a meet director. He also credited entertainer M-Dee for the role he played, along with his manager Lavelle ‘Big L’ Culmer. M-Deez was the last performer before headliner Machel Montano at the after party celebrations.

Now that it’s done, Brown said he will wait to make a definitive decision on whether or not he will be home to compete in the World Relays.

“I’m only human,” he insisted. “I would love to be in 5-6 different places and give everyone a treat, but I will see what happen in the next week.

“I don’t want to stretch myself too thin so that when I come home I’m not at my best to compete, I don’t like to give them 50 or 70-80 percent. I want to give them 100 percent or more.”