Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Nehemiah Perry (left) receives the Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence from Prime Minister Bruce Golding. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer

FORMER WEST Indies and Jamaica offspin bowler Nehemiah Perry was all smiles on Tuesday night as he took to the podium at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel to receive the fifth annual Courtney Walsh Award for Excellence.

Dressed dapperly in a two-piece suit, Perry, who played for Jamaica between 1987 and 2004, walked home with the award after pipping fellow nominees footballer Ricardo Fuller, who was represented by Reggae Boyz team manager Vin Blaine, sprint hurdler Brigitte Foster-Hylton, swimmer Janelle Atkinson, who was represented by her mother, and netballer Oberon Pitterson.

The award, which was instituted in honour of the achievements of former West Indies and Jamaica cricketer Walsh, is for sports persons who display a high level of humility, integrity and discipline.

Gracious and eloquent

It is sponsored by the Government's CHASE Fund and was picked up in the past by cricketer James Adams (2005), hurdler Deon Hemmings (2006) and netballer Elaine Davis (2007).

Gracious and eloquent in his acceptance speech, Perry, who since his retirement has been helping young cricketers in his community; his club - Kingston Cricket Club - and his alma mater, Calabar High, thanked all of those who were responsible for him making it to the highest levels.

He thanked his parents, both of whom are deceased, his community of Dunrobin, his former high school coach and the many well-wishers he met on his way to first representing Jamaica then the West Indies.

"This is the best thing that could have happened to me, to get this award from Courtney Walsh," he said to applause from an audience which included Prime Minister Bruce Golding, the main speaker, and Sports Minister Olivia 'Babsy' Grange.

A tall and lanky offspinner, Perry was a standout in high school cricket and progressed to represent the country at the regional Under-19 level where, along with Adams, he had battles with Trinidad and Tobago's Brian Lara and company.

Career best

He then went on to make his debut for the Jamaica senior team in 1989, against Guyana, and, after hanging up his boots in 2004, had 299 wickets, including a career best of 8-45 and a match haul of 12-80 against Guyana in 1989. He played 99 first-class matches for Jamaica.

Perry, who was also fairly handy with the bat, scored 2,592 runs at an average of 20, including a century.

One of, if not, his proudest moments at the international level was when he made his debut for the West Indies against Australia here in Kingston. He took five wickets including that of Steve Waugh.

Continued involvement

"It was a good journey and I will continue to be actively involved in helping the youths of my community of Dunrobin, Red Hills Road, White Hall and surrounding communities, Kingston Cricket Club and Calabar High," he said.

"I love this sport dearly. It has, given so much to me and it is my hope that in winning this award it will encourage young cricketers to excel."