Ian Gaynair and Woodrow West gained international acclaim at the Gold Cup in July when they blew the whistle on a match fixer who was trying to induce them to throw the game against the US. Since then, the national team players have received all kinds of honors and recognition, culminating in a paid trip to the see the Gold Cup Final as guests of the tournament organizers, CONCACAF. Today in Belmopan, the National Olympic Commission under the patronage of the Governor General held a ceremony to give West and Gaynair the first ever Gilmore Hinkson Fair Play Trophy. Hinkson was an exemplary Belizean sporting official – and the Olympic committee says it is his sense of fair play that West and Gaynair best epitomize.
Hilly Martinez - President, National Olympic Commission
"This is the first time this trophy is being awarded. I do hope that these forwards Ian and Woodrow - you guys will be a role character in the future of all young athletes."
Sir.Colville Young - Governor General of Belize
"I am honored, I am proud to join hundreds of thousands of Belizeans in the United States and particularly in Belize to pay tribute to the Jaguar Football Team that took the name, the flag and the anthem of Belize to the international scene. We did not win but we excelled in sportsmanship and even if we did not win, I want to remind you that every evening the sun goes down, but the next morning it rises again. Belize will have the opportunity to excel to defeat the world."
Ian Gaynair - Recipient of 1st Gilroy Hinkson Award
"At least now we know that we are really getting acknowledged and being honored to do what we do. I think we are influencing a lot of young people to know that when you do good, then the good follows you."
Jules Vasquez
"Explain to me what the experience was like going to the World Cup Finals, being there hosted for a special event?"
Ian Gaynair
"Historical, awesome - I don't even know what else to say. It was just a really nice experience because when we were sitting down and watching the game, I had my feet crossed - I said I never thought I would have reached there. At the end of the day you have to always believe that you can reach another level."
Woodrow West - Recipient of 1st Gilroy Hinkson Award
"It feels good to be awarded for something we did; it opened the eyes of other footballers worldwide and here in our country and to also be a role model for our youths coming up."
Ian Gaynair
"I feel West and I area really at the top for what we have done and we are trying to be an example in football worldwide and it looks like some players that play football haven't learned from what we have done and when they do that, they make us look better. The more they want to accept bribery, the more our country is shining - we have morals and pride in our country."
Woodrow West
"I feel proud of myself at this moment, at least I'm reaping something beneficial to my personal life and as an athlete. I know the hard work that I put in and I come from a very strong and good home, a lot of love and a lot of teaching for being honest - it has taken me this far and it has opened a lot of doors for me."
Email
Print