'A quintessential sportsman'

• Former JAAA president Aris lauded at thanksgiving service for contribution to nation's sports

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

HOWARD ROBERTSON ARIS, the man who presided over the most successful period in Jamaica's track and field history, was laid to rest at the Dovecot Memorial Park, St Catherine, yesterday.

Glowing tributes flowed at the thanksgiving service - unveiled in a purple and white-themed setting of Aris' alma mater, Kingston College - at the National Indoor Sports Centre (NISC) for the former Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) president.

They informed of the outstanding and dedicated works of the devout sportsman, who was also a former national track and field coach, physiotherapist and athlete.

During his seven-year reign, some of Jamaica's most outstanding achievements in the sport, including an 11-medal haul (six gold, three silver, two bronze), and three world records at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China; and 13 medals (seven gold, four silver, two bronze), and two world records at the World Championships in Berlin, Germany, in 2009.

Jamaican athletes have also won gold in all sprint finals at World meets, youth championships included, barring the women's 100 metres and 4x100 titles at the recent World Championships in Singapore, which were won by Carmelita Jeter and her United States team.

Aris, affectionately called 'Fudge', died nearly two weeks ago when he suffered a heart attack while on the general election campaign trail with his long-time friend and confidante, opposition leader and shadow minister for sports, Portia Simpson Miller. He was 75.

Good work remembered

Aris was revered for his knowledge and understanding of sport and for establishing Jamaica as the sprint capital of the world.

A host of prominent sports personalities were among the gathering and spoke highly of Aris during the thanksgiving service, which filled approximately three-quarters of the NISC at Independence Park Complex, where the former track and field guru spent a large portion of his life at meets inside the National Stadium or at the Institute of Sports, where he also served as chairman.

"He was a special Jamaican, a quintessential sportsman, and his death is a big loss to track and field in Jamaica," said Minister ofYouth, Sports and Culture Olivia 'Babsy' Grange in her tribute, while representing Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

"Because of the life he lived we can look forward to a successful track and field future, and I urge us to use his life's work as a template for the development of sports, and the country as a whole," Grange added.

His uncanny understanding of sports and his second love, politics, also saw him serving on numerous government bodies, including the Institute of Sports and Sports Development Foundation, which he helped to establish in the 1970s and 1990s, respectively. He was also chairman of both organisations.

"Howard was highly dedicated and committed to the development of sports as a vehicle for the development of our people," quipped Portia Simpson Miller, who was one of seven 'close family members and associates' who paid tribute.

"That the service is being held inside the National Indoor Sports Centre is a tribute to the man. He was the one who encouraged the government of the day to build it, along with the urging of former Jamaica Netball Association president, Molly Rhone."

Simpson Miller added: "On our last journey he was his usual self, giving advice and instructions of what to do, and him telling me to come down from the sunroof of the car as my skin was sensitive and I may get sunburn.

"Fudge, you ran well, completed the race and Jamaica is a better place because you lived," she stated.

A LEGEND

Dr Warren Blake, newly installed president of the JAAA, who also read a message from International Association of Athletics Federations President Lamine Diack, said Aris' shoes will be hard to fill.

"He understood well the link between politics and sports, which led to numerous national sporting accomplishments," said Blake. "He leaves very hard shoes to fill."

Neville 'Teddy' McCook, president of North America Central America and Caribbean Confederation, said Aris' life represented greatness.

"Aris is a legend, especially as it relates to the administration of sports. We only hope that the ideals for which he stood will last a lifetime," he said.

Aris is survived by his wife Sandra, daughter Shannon, son Quentin and other relatives and friends.

Some of those who were in attendance included: athletes - Usain Bolt, Asafa Powell, Shelly-Ann Fraser, Sherone Simpson, Kaliese Spencer, Marvin Anderson; politicians - Robert Pickersgill, Phillip Paulwell, DK Duncan; and administrators - Grace Jackson, Don Quarrie, Bert Cameron, Deon Hemmings, Juliet Cuthbert, Davian Clarke, Alfred Francis, Edward Hector, Ali McNab, David Mais, Lydel Wright, Ajani Williams and Captain Horace Burrell.