In keeping with its annual theme for Oaks Day, Ladies Day, Caymanas Track Limited (CTL) once again paid homage to outstanding women in a specific field at Caymanas Park on Saturday.

Over the years, on Oaks Day CTL has honoured select women in the media, nurses and women in tourism. In 2005, it was women in the performing and fine arts. And last year, it was women in the field of education.

This year, it was those in the field of sports. Fourteen of them were selected in 10 different disciplines and, in the end, 13 showed up to receive their awards. The lone absentee was current Sportwoman of the Year, Sherone Simpson.

The women were selected for their contribution to athletics, netball, table tennis, hockey, volleyball, swimming, women's football and women's cricket. Several have distinguished themselves in sports administration, as well.

Those honoured were Olympian Juliet Cuthbert who won silver medals in the 100 and 200 metres at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics; Oberon Pitterson who has represented Jamaica at netball on numerous occasions as player, captain and coach; former Jamaica women's cricket captain Vivalyn Latty-Scott; Sandra Riettie, many-time national table tennis champion andcoach; Dr. Michelle Holt, former captain of the Jamaica hockey team and in later years president of the Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) as well as coach of the national team; Vilma McDonald, a former Jamaica netball captain who recently has been associated with the Cricket World Cup; Carole Beckford, a former national volleyball player and president of the Jamaica Volleyball Association; Jackie Walter for her contribution to swimming; her mother, Margaret Beckford for netball contribution; Sharon Donaldson, the former Jamaica Netball Association president; Elaine Walker-Brown for her contribution to women's football; Myrtle Weir, the first president of the unified JHF; and Juliette Parkes for her contribution to track and field.

All the awardees were elegantly dressed for the occasion, most wearing beautifully designed hats for the annual hat parade.

Portmore's Mayor, George Lee, was on hand to present them with their awards inside the winners' enclosure.

As CTL director, Lincoln 'Happy' Sutherland, a former Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) president, declared "... never before have so many outstanding women in sports assembled under the same room, and we are proud to be hosting them at Caymanas Park today. When you think of the many places all over the world at which they represented this country with distinction, they are indeed remarkable women."

The awardees were appreciative of the recognition by CTL.

"I think it is good that CTL has seen it fit to honour so many of us who have excelled on and off the field in sports and we are appreciative of this gesture," said Carole Beckford.

-O. C.