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Basil Bradshaw remembers Elton Jefford
Elton Jefford
In 1978, former sports announcer and television talk show host, Basil Bradshaw was merely 15 years old and attending Secondary School when he had the privilege of meeting the late athlete, Elton Jefford.
At that time Jefford, who was born and bred in the mining town of Linden, was competing in the 400m race, in the open category, at the National School Championships.
Among the top names participating in that race was Vigil Lewis who had ruled that era to the extent that most athletes of that era dreaded the thought of competing against him. At that time Lewis was ranked as the junior champion.
Bradshaw remembers Jefford, a budding athlete who himself had earned quite a reputation on the athletic tracks, had dared to compete against Lewis.
“All eyes were riveted on Jefford and Lewis because they were two budding stars and were lighting up the local tracks,” Bradshaw reminisced. As such, the support for both athletes was immense.
Bradshaw remembers that the race turned out to be a scorcher with Lewis carting off the honours. However, he remembers an incident that occurred just after the race was completed.
“Even though Lewis won the race, the effort was extremely taxing resulting in him (Lewis) collapsing after bracing the tape. Jefford was very instrumental in assisting the exhausted Lewis to the pavilion.”
Bradshaw also disclosed that even though Jefford had lost the race he was promoted in the esteem of the spectators and from that day onwards, was spoken of in awe.
Before very long the tables had turned and it was Jefford who attained celebrity status and occupied a prestigious position among the elites.
Basil Bradshaw (right) poses with another local athletic great, James Wren Gilkes during his early broadcaster years.
Whenever he faced the starter’s gun it was now he who caused other athletes to tremble. Bradshaw admitted that he held absolute respect for the late athlete. He said that while Jefford competed as a senior athlete he (Bradshaw) ran among the juniors.
The talk show host revealed that during his tenure he had always wanted to match strides with Jefford. He got an opportunity to do so in a cycling and athletic Championship at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground. He said that he had the honour of crossing the finishing just ahead of the late sprint champion.
“Jefford eventually avenged that feat when we contested in the 100m race at the 1981 Guyana Games,” Bradshaw disclosed.
Almost everyone spoken to acknowledged the athletic prowess of the late athlete. His athletic attributes lived on for a while through his son Edison, who himself had blazed a trail on the athletic track, albeit with minimal success.
During his short career on the track the young Jefford returned a best time of 10.78 in the 100m dash. He also won gold in the 200m race at the National Schools Athletic Championships held at the Albion ground in 2000.
Bradshaw intimated that Jefford’s death has come as a shock to him. He wishes to convey his most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Jefford.
“I believe that the athletic fraternity should aspire to remember the feats of this great athlete in a commendable way,” he added.
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