By Lesroy W. Williams
Observer Reporter
(Mansion, St. Kitts) – On Saturday 5th April, 2008, Constituency # 7 held their 11th annual prize giving ceremony for the Dr. Timothy Harris sponsored Domino League in Mansion. This Domino League boasts of being the oldest in the Federation and arguably one of the stronger and better organized leagues.
With constituents and players ranging from Ottley’s in the East to Saddlers in the West, Pastor Troy Watson opened the ceremony with a prayer. Mr. Osmond Petty, a founding member and chairman of the League welcomed all who had gathered and congratulated Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, parliamentary representative for constituency #7, for his initiative and ingenuity in starting the Domino League 11 years ago. According to Mr. Petty, the Domino League not only brings the young and the old together for healthy competition but is a vehicle for community building and social development.
The League started in 1996 with seven teams representing the Ottley’s, Lodge, Mansion, Saddlers, Molineux, Phillips and Saddlers communities. It has since grown to encompass up to 10 teams. Although the league falls into the ambit of Constituency #7, other teams outside the Constituency participate.
Mr. Calvin Farrell, League Coordinator, gave an overview of the competition over the 11 years and lauded the team spirit and cooperation of the players.
He said that domino is a sport that keeps the mind active and young people away from criminal activity.
Mr. Jonathan Bass, Vice President for Finance at Cable and Wireless Limited, was on hand to announce the good news that the old abandoned telephone exchange building in Mansion, once used as the Mansion Domino Club House, was to be refurbished. He revealed that Cable and Wireless Limited was to donate an upfront amount of $50,000 for its refurbishment. The building, once refurbished, would have a kitchen, bathroom and equipped with two computers with internet connectivity. It would be used as a community centre for meetings and indoor sports such as table tennis.
Cable and Wireless continues to have a vested interest in community development, he said.
Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris exhibited the plans for the refurbishment of the building. In his remarks, he thanked Cable and Wireless for their donation and exhorted the teams in the competition to keep growing from strength to strength. He reiterated his continued support to his constituents in ensuring community development and social networking.
In last year’s domino league, Lodge Village placed first, Molineux placed second, Mansion placed third and Lodge project placed fourth. Nine teams participated. Mr. Spencer Duggin was awarded with a trophy for the eldest person in the league. Saddlers won the most improved team category whereas Gilbert and Eddy of Saddler’s won best pair in competition category. This year’s competition starts in early August and promises the same and even better quality from previous years.
Mr. Winston Morris, a founding member and staunch player and supporter, ended the prize giving ceremony with the vote of thanks.
