Sammy, Alfred, Spencer receive Independence awards

CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC):

WEST INDIES head coach Daren Julius Garvey Sammy, along with athletes Julien Alfred and Levern Donaline Spencer have been conferred with St Lucia’s second highest award, the St Lucia Cross, as part of the country’s Independence Day honours.

Sammy was awarded for his distinguished service in the field of sports (cricket) and youth development; Alfred for her distinguished service in the field of sports (track & field) and Spencer for her distinguished service in the field of sports (high jump).

The 41-year-old Sammy is the all-format head coach of the West Indies men’s team and is the only captain to have won the T20 World Cup on two occasions, having lifted the title in 2012 and 2016.

He was also a member of the West Indies team that won the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy.

Most recently, he guided the St Lucia Kings to their first-ever Caribbean Premier League title.

In 2017, Sammy was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to sports and for his part in bringing international cricket back to Pakistan, he received the highest civilian medal of Pakistan, Nishan-e-Pakistan on March 23, 2020.

Sammy was also awarded honorary Pakistani citizenship by the President of Pakistan Arif Alvi.

In a brief message posted on social media, Sammy said he was “humbled” to receive the award.

“…At this point I would like to thank the Government of St Lucia for awarding me the St Lucia Cross. It is surreal and it has highlighted my contribution to sports.

“I am humbled, yet honoured to receive this award,” Sammy said.

The 23-year-old Alfred created history by winning St Lucia’s first ever Olympic medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

She won gold in the women’s 100 metres and silver in the 200 metres in Paris and was also the 2024 World Indoor 60m champion.

In September 2024, the Parliament of St Lucia passed a Bill which marked September 27 as Julien Alfred Day.

Meanwhile, the now retired 40-year-old Spencer is regarded as the country’s best-ever high jumper.

She is a four-time Olympian and competed in eight World Championships.

Spencer was also a gold medallist at both the Commonwealth Games and Pan-American Games.