The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THERE has been another clarion call for a permanent recognition for legendary sailor Sir Durward “Sea Wolf” Knowles.

While I strongly concede with the sentiments by National Family Island Regatta chairman Danny Strachan for Knowles’ image to be placed on the Bahamian $100 note and a stretch of water on the eastern end of Montagu to be named the Sir Durward Knowles Harbour, I think there are some others who should be considered for some similar type of recognition.

Before I begin, I don’t want to take anything away from Knowles because he deserves everything he gets and more, having won the gold medal at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan with the late Cecil Cooke and the bronze in 1956 in Melbourne, Australia with the late Sloane Farrington.

But here are just a few of the athletes whom I feel should also be considered for some type of national recognition. And before anybody gets offended, there are a lot others that should be considered and were not included in this edition.

ELISHA OBED

It was on November 13, 1975 that Ferguson, better known as Elisha Obed, flew to Paris, France where he knocked out Miguel de Olivia from Brazil in the 11th round to win the coveted World Boxing Council’s light middleweight title.

Obed, 65, became the first and only Bahamian to win a world title and he went on to defend it twice against Tony ‘KO King’ Gardiner (February 28, 1976 here) and Sea Robinson (April 24, 1976 in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire) before he lost it to German Eckhard Dagge on June 18, 1976 when he got stopped in the 10th round.

Since, Obed would have fought up to March 6, 1988 when he completed his career with a 10-round decision over James ‘Killer’ Coakley, avenging a loss to Coakley the year before on March 21.

Nowadays, Obed is not doing too well. He’s been out of public view and is hardly in any conversation even when there are arguments over who is the greatest sportsmen ever in the country.

It’s like Obed has been a forgotten hero, who many remembered was paraded through the streets of New Providence when he returned home as the world champion.

Look how the mighty has fallen.

There’s no stature, no street or even any building named after the national icon, who began fighting as an amateur at the age of 12 and went on to compile an undefeated win-loss record of 46-0 before he became a pro two years later and finished a long and illustrious sting with a 59-21 mark with two draws.

Bahamas Olympic Committee president Wellington Miller, a former boxer and current president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Bahamas, revealed recently that Obed is not as mobile as he used to be.

Now would be a good time to consider giving him the honour and recognition that he so rightfully deserves before his life expires and all kind of accolades are heaped upon him posthumously.

FRANK

RUTHERFORD

How can we forget the man who served as the trailblazer for the Bahamas at both the Olympic Games and the International Amateur Athletic Federation’s World Indoor Championships, winning the first individual medals.

The former national record holder soared to the country’s initial bronze medal in the triple jump at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1987 and five years later he was back on the podium as the first bronze medallist at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain in 1992.

Although there was some controversy surrounding his return home celebrations from the Olympics, Rutherford was appointed a Member in the Order of the British Empire for excellence in athletics in 2003.

But like Obed, Rutherford seems to be one of those unsung heroes whose accomplishments have not gotten the proper recognition that they so rightly deserve.

Again, there should be a street or some type of edifice erected in honour of the soon-to-be 53 (birthday on November 23), who has moved to Houston, Texas where he has established his Frank Rutherford Foundation, assisting young Bahamian student-athletes in basketball, football and track and field.

SHONEL FERGUSON

She’s now back in the public domain as the Member of Parliament for Fox Hill. But there was a time when Ferguson dominated as an international long jump champion.

When the Bahamas was a force to reckon with on the field at the CARIFTA Games, Ferguson was a back-to-back under-20 women bronze medallist (1975 in Hamilton, Bermuda) and gold (1976 at home).

Four years later, she went on to clinch a bronze in the long jump at the Olympic Boycott Games in Philadelphia in 1980 and soared to gold at the Commonwealth Games in 1982 in Brisbane, Australia.

She was a three-time Olympian, having represented the country in Montreal, Canada in 1976, Los Angeles, California in 1984 and Seoul, Korea in 1988.

Ferguson, who turns 60 on November 6, has also received an honour from the Queen and at one time had her image placed on the out-dated stamps that were used when mailing letters.

She, too, deserves some type of national honour.

BRADLEY COOPER

For at least a decade, strongman Cooper reigned supreme, starting with the shot put and then excelling in discus where he’s produced more medals on the field than any other Bahamian.

Many would remember his exploits with the great Cuban thrower Luis Delis, the 1980 Moscow Olympic bronze medallist and respective silver and bronze winner in the first two IAAF World Championships in 1983 and 1987.

The duo were the main contenders for the top medals in the Commonwealth Games as well as the Pan American Games and the Central American and Caribbean Games and Championships.

Cooper, 60, now spends the majority of his time grooming his two children in the sport as well as serving as the manager of the Wellness Centre at the University of the Bahamas and a coach of the UB Mingoes athletic team.

But he should be considered for some type of recognition.

DONNIE

MARTINBOROUGH

While doing the story on Gavin McKinney’s feat as the fourth Bahamian to win a world sailing championship title with Mark Holowesko adding to the historic event with a silver medal last week in Benodet, France, my mind reflected on Donnie Martinborough, who did it twice in the Sunfish class, winning in 1973 and 1977.

Martinborough has been a household name not on the international scene where he’s won numerous titles in various regattas around the world, but he’s virtually been unbeaten here at home.

However, he’s been overshadowed by the two world titles won by Robert ‘Bobby’ Symonette and one by Sir Durward Knowles as they set the pace for the international sailors.

Symonette, a five-time Olympian, died on March 1, 1998. However, he left his mark winning the 5.5 metre keelboat class at the Sailing World Championships in 1980 and 1986. He also won three silver medals in 1962, 1973 and 1977.

Knowles, now the oldest living Olympic gold medallist, will celebrate his 100th birthday on November 2. He will be honoured over the weekend of October 27-29 when the local sailing community stages a massive Sir Durward Knowles 100 Regatta in Montagu Bay.

It seems as if the sailing community is still looking for its national recognition for their sailing champions as well.

In Memorial

JEFFREY ROBERTS

I first met Roberts when he served as the statistician for the New Providence Softball Association. The relationship continued to grow as he visited The Tribune office when he played an active role in the revitalisation of both pool and dominoes.

Roberts, 67, agitated for the latter two sports to be taken out of the confirms of the bar room and into a more socialised setting when more of the general public would be able to participate.

He was relentless in his pursuit to make an impact in the sports.

KEITH ROLLE

Better known as “Lover Boy,” Rolle was well known in Special Olympics where he participated in their sporting events, either as a competitor or one of the greatest supporters for his peers.

The bubbly 55-year-old could also be seen on the campus of St Augustine’s College, near to far from his home on Bernard Road, watching the high school games.

Condolences are extended to his family, including his brothers, well known sportsman Kevin ‘Chick’ Rolle, one of the top former volleyball and basketball players in the country.

May their souls rest in peace as they are both laid to rest on Saturday.