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‘Agricolians’ recognize Clive Atwell’s world tile feat with fitting ceremony
Multiple boxing champion and world rater, Clive Atwell’s recent bid to relieve World Boxing Council Featherweight champion, Mexican, Johnny Gonzalez, of his title failed after the bout was halted on a technicality in the tenth round.
Atwell receives a piece of gold jewellery from Natasha Corrica while Welton Clarke applauds.
Nevertheless, residents of the Agricola EBD community, where Atwell lived during his formative years, hold Atwell in high esteem and yesterday afternoon the Agricola Central Management Committee organized a motorcade around the village, followed by a fitting ceremony at the Community Centre where several notable residents heaped praise on the aspiring world champion.
The group convened at the Evan Phillips Park in Agricola around 15:00hrs yesterday afternoon and with Atwell aback a vehicle provided by Director of Youth and Sport, Neil Kumar, trooped through the village before proceeding to Eccles, where Atwell now resides, before retracing their steps to the Donald Allison Agricola Community Centre where a wide cross section of important individuals delivered glowing tributes to the featherweight world contender.
Mr. Kumar was a no show even though he was supposed to have delivered the keynote address and his unexplained absence was regarded as absolutely disrespectful and uncaring. Nevertheless, the organizers had no problem finding an adequate replacement since Deputy Major, Patricia Chase Green, also attended the function and performed the honours.
The City Hall official was livid and lashed out at the Director of Sport saying that his attitude was a true reflection of the disrespect and contempt he holds for local boxers. “If Atwell had returned with the belt I doubt whether I would have been able to get near him; he would have been flooded by top government officials,” declared Green. She said that the least Kumar could have done was to offer an apology for his absence and send someone to deputise for him. “We have to stand behind our boxers through thick and thin,” proclaimed the Deputy Mayor. She then presented Atwell with a certificate in recognition of his outstanding talent and world class recognition on behalf of the city of Georgetown.
Earlier, local songbird, Charmaine Blackman, also a resident of Agricola, fittingly honoured Atwell in song, “Follow your dreams;” “Don’t let nobody tell you that you cannot make it………just follow your dreams,” she serenaded the champ.
Deputy Mayor, Chase Green, presents Atwell with a certificate in recognition of his outstanding talent and world class recognition.
Another singer, granddaughter of calypsonian, Malcolm Corrica, Faith Corrica, belted out her lyrics, “great things are yet to come,” much to the approval of Atwell who sat at the head table along with Green, Councillor, Ranwell Jordan, Coordinator, Natasha Corrica and Pastor Gladstone Denny.
Bishop Ivan John heralded Atwell as a role model of the generation while urging him to remain focused. “You were unsuccessful in bringing home the bacon but I urge you to remain focused and the bacon they took from you will give them indigestion,” declared the Bishop to mild chuckles from the gathering.
Indeed, the tributes were many and came from such notables as social activist, Mark Benschop, who said that he was proud of Atwell’s achievements, boxing coach, Paulette Nurse, who chronicled Atwell’s arduous journey from the amateur to the professional ranks and former President of the Guyana Boxing Association (GBA), Afeeze Khan, who spoke of his input in Atwell’s development even as the champ sought glory further afield in the United States of America, Italy and Brazil among other countries.
Atwell was very appreciative of the gesture and related that much when he delivered a short speech later in the evening. A devout Christian, he credited his achievement to God even as he committed to continue working with youths in Agricola and other communities to improve their lives.
Chairperson, Natasha Corrica’s contribution was highlighted with an acrostic of Atwell that truly highlighted the value of his contribution while Welton Clarke, a true village person, delivered the vote of thanks.
While the glowing words and fitting tributes compensated somewhat for his performance, it was the final gesture that put the proverbial ‘icing on the cake when Mr. Clark slipped a beautiful gold ring on Atwell’s finger, donated by the residents in acknowledgement of his worthwhile contribution to the upliftment of the East Bank village.
“The future is still bright,” he reminded Atwell as the shiny piece of jewellery exchanged hands.
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