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ATTORNEY-AT-LAW Bert Samuels and women’s football coach Charles Edwards said they were both honoured at being recognised by the ‘Bring Back The Love’ football festival at the Harbour View Mini Stadium on Sunday.
Samuels, one of the most prominent and successfully figures in Jamaica’s legal fraternity, who resigned from the courtroom in December after a distinguished 45-year career, said being recognised for his work by persons outside of the legal field is gratifying.
“I feel so honoured that people outside of the field have been watching what I am doing in my field, which is the courtroom,” he noted.
Despite leaving the courtroom, Samuels continues the pursuit of justice on an even wider scale.
“Outside the courtroom, as you know I am the deputy chair for the Reparation Council of Jamaica. So I am not just into law. I am into justice for African Jamaicans. For black people, for them to compensate for our enslavement,” he said.
Meanwhile, Edwards, who led Barbican women to a record 12 Jamaica Women’s Premier League (JWPL) titles, with nine consecutive wins from 2008 to 2016, and who was head coach of the Reggae Girlz from 2007 to 2008, said it is a special feeling to be recognised.
“Over the years, you have worked hard. You put everything into it. You get great results. But nothing ever has been done like this. So when you realise someone’s recognising what you are doing, it tickles you deep down. It feels good and I really appreciate it,” he stated.
He also calls for lovers of the sport to come out and support the Bring Back The Love event in the way it did in years past.
LOOKING FORWARD TO EVENT
“I look forward to the Bring Back Love Football being built up back, with a lot more people turning out to support it. Because it is doing a fantastic job for the Jamaican athletes, coaches, and people who are recognised within his (organiser Clive ‘Busy’ Campbell) books.”
Campbell said the late adjustment they had to make from the event’s traditional Labour Day staging may have resulted in an unusually low turnout.
But he insists that the most important thing was recognising the honourees. “We were focusing on Labour Day. But then Premier League (final) was being played on Labour Day, so we had to switch to the Sunday.
“But respect is the most important thing to me, and I just wanted to give the people what they deserve. They should be recognised. So it doesn’t matter if it’s 10 or 20 people. It’s all about giving the people the respect they should get,” he stated.
In the match between Entertainers and Celebrities versus Masters and Media, the Entertainers and Celebrities defeated Masters and Media 6-1 in an fun-filled and entertaining match.
The other honouree, Alecia ‘One Left’ James, a former national midfielder and captain of Edwards’ dominant Barbican team, was unavoidable absent. Edwards accepted her plaque in her absence.
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