Kennard’s Memorial Turf Club holds first ever awards and presentation ceremony

May 01, 2014 Sports

The Kennard Memorial Turf Club of Bush Lot Farm, Corentyne Coast, continues to set the stage for others to follow. The club which is undoubtedly the leading horseracing facility in Guyana, in terms of facilities and a few other areas has created yet another first. In a history making ceremony at the club’s Bush Lot Farm race track on Sunday, was the first ever awards and presentation ceremony for sponsors and employees by a horse racing entity in Guyana.

Longest serving employee Ovid Hawke receiving his award.

During the ceremony the club honoured four of its outstanding supporters and three of its dedicated and outstanding staff. Leading the awardees was Demerara Distillers Limited (DDL) being recognized as one of the leading sponsors for their association with the KMTC for the past 40 years. Torginol Paints Inc. was awarded for their support to the club for the past 25 years. The P and P Insurance Brokers company was honoured for their support of the entity which dates back 20 years. Another significant contributor recognized at the ceremony was Metro Stationeries and Officer Supplies whose principals apart from hailing from the area, have a long and historic connection with the KMTC. The company has since 2009 been providing the First prize and trophy worth over $1M for the Club’s annual Boxing Day meet.
The three employees honoured for the outstanding and dedicated service were; Secretary Nikita Ross for her dedicated and unwavering years of service, caretaker Elroy Johnson for being a helpful and dedicated staff and Ovid Hawke who received an award for being the longest serving employee with the entity.
Speaking at the ceremony Honorary President and former Chancellor Cecil Kennard gave a brief history of the race track which is named after his late father. He said that the club started in the early 1930s and apart from Port Mourant Race track it is the oldest surviving race course in the country. His grandfather Charles Percy Kennard an Englishman, who came down to Guyana and worked at the Port Mourant Hospital among other medical institutions, bought the Bush Lot farm Estate for his father Charles Cecil Kennard in the early 1930s.
His father first donated land for the Cricket club now the Bush Lot Farm Cricket Club. The race track he said was situated at different locations on the estate before finally moving to its current spot for convenience sake. The family has also donated and assisted a number of other entities including religious organizations with lands. According to Kennard, although the club was formed long before the 1960’s, the real development of the track started in 1962. The KMTC became dormant for a few years due to some teething problems but was resuscitated in 1978.
Kennard lauded the contribution of former presidents Mangarran Singh, Deo Kharag and family and current president Roopnarine Matadial as playing significant parts in the present status of the club.

Ms Nikita Ross (left) receiving her award.

The first mile race held at the KMTC was staged in 1962 and was won by Fair Wind ridden by Edmond Sunich. His grandfather, father and himself were owners of racehorses. Among some of them that his grandfather owned were Philo, Eco, Pluto and Bato which were all brought from England.
Justice Kennard said that the Bush Lot Farm track is the cheapest to get into when there are races. “We set prices to cater for the small man,” he said, stating that the main reason for hosting the ceremony is to give back to society.
Club President Roopnarine Matadial said that the KMTC has many plans for the future to develop the facility. Among them are to create a playing area for children which will be located in the inner circle of the track. The playing area will be equipped with slides, sea saws, swings among other amenities. Land filling of the proposed site has already commenced and the facility should be completed by year end.
Also speaking at the ceremony was Director of Sports Neil Kumar, who applauded the KMTC for the outstanding work they have been doing. He said that the KMTC has to be doing something good because sponsors are always willing to be associated with the club. He also challenged the KMTC to have its history documented.
Giving the response on behalf of the recipient’s, owner of P&P Insurance Brokers Bish Panday thanked the KMTC for the initiative and congratulated the club for the way in which it is being run.
He also took the opportunity to reiterate the call for the club to have its history documented.
Pastor Quesi Henry gave the vote of thanks and said the prayers. Participants were also treated to a sumptuous lunch and had the opportunity to view historical photos and trophies of the club. One trophy dates back over 100 years old.