Nassau BAH - My induction into the CAC Hall of Fame was a simple no-frills event during the CACAC Congress in Nassau on 10 July 2005.

President Victor Lopez reminded delegates of the Congress decision to create the Hall of Fame and to nominate the first list of inductees. Ceremonies for those from Jamaica and Cuba were held in Kingston JAM and Havana CUB during the latter part of 2003. Last year it was the turn of Rey O`Neal BVI during the Carifta Junior Games, and the MEX walker Ernesto Canto during the CAC Junior Championships.

It was now, he said, the moment to conclude the first round of inductions with that of Bernard Linley TRI, for his work in compiling athletics statistics for the CAC region since the late 1960s.

Then he invited me to come forward and receive the trophy.

My feelings at that moment are not easy to describe: a combination of joy and humility, tinged with a certain pride at being the first from Trinidad-Tobago to enter the CAC Hall of Fame.

After thanking Congress for the honour and recognition accorded, I had to point out that we all (delegates, officials, statisticians, coaches, etc) must remember that our first responsibility was to the athletes, without whom we would not have the sport which we love. Our primary duty was to ensure that we served them to the best of our ability, enabling them to develop their talents to the maximum.

Subsequently Congress approved a second list of inductees, including some athletes from TRI, and then moved on to other business.