Two more Bahamians are set to receive the ultimate recognition by one of the most powerful organizations in the region.
The Central American and Caribbean Athletic Confederation (CACAC), which encompasses 35 countries, will induct Bahamians Eldece Clarke-Lewis and Doyle Burrows into its Hall of Fame next month.  Those inductions, which will be carried out by CACAC President Victor Lopez, are scheduled for Sunday, March 4 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort.
'Golden Girl' Clarke-Lewis and Burrows will be the seventh and eighth Bahamians to enter the doors of the CACAC Hall of Fame.  Five Bahamians were inducted during the organization's third Hall of Fame banquet in 2008, namely Bernard 'BJ' Nottage, Livingston Bostwick, Frank Rutherford, Troy Kemp and Pauline Davis-Thompson.  Two years later, they were joined by Keith Parker.  Each year, the executives of the confederation decide which persons are worthy of the honor, and this year, Clarke-Lewis and Burrows are among the selected few. It's a belated birthday present for both, as Burrows celebrated the milestone on February 9, and Clarke-Lewis gave thanks for another year on February 13.
"I am humbled to have been selected for such a prestigious recognition," said Clarke-Lewis.  "When one is given the privilege to represent this country in track and field, like I have had, it is considered a blessing.  I wish to thank the organizers, the BAAA (Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations) and the officials of the CACAC as well as the government and people of The Bahamas for this honor.  This is one of the best awards that I would have received.  It reminds me of all the sacrifices that I made over the years.  CACAC is where I got my start, so it is always good to be recognized from the beginning, so to me, it is one of the best and finest awards that I would have received."
Burrows, who has been involved in the sport on so many levels for 53 years, said that he is grateful and pleasantly surprised.
"To me this ranks among the top awards that I would have received because in this instance, it is your peers recognizing you.  When your peers from the entire region honor you, it is one of the top things that could happen, especially when you didn't expect it," said Burrows.  "I didn't do it for what I could get out of it.  Workers don't get rewards.  It is a passion of mine and that is the reason why I got involved.  I would just like to thank the BAAA for submitting my name, and I wish to ask all my friends and colleagues in Junkanoo and track and field to come out and support this event."
The first CACAC Hall of Fame banquet was held in Jamaica and Cuba in 2003.  It is always held in the country of the honoree or honorees.  To be eligible for the honor, athletes have to win a medal at either the World Championships or the Olympics during their careers, and would have had to participate in either the Senior CACAC Championships or the CACAC Games.  There is also a five-year window after their retirement from the sport that they must go through before they are eligible for the honor.  As a contributor, the individual has to make a significant contribution to the sport of athletics in the region.
Lifelong friend of Clarke-Lewis, Pauline Davis-Thompson, said that she is proud of her fellow 'Golden Girl' who she has competed with on so many national teams.
"I'm very proud of her and the woman that she has become.  She's a role model and a mentor for so many of our young people today and she continues to give back in a very tangible way," said Davis-Thompson.  "She has done some amazing things for this country and is well deserving of this honor.
"As for Mr. Burrows, he has always been very professional and has given so much to our country.  He has done a lot to develop young people and we need many more people like him to come out and give back to our country.  We have to be nation builders and Mr. Burrows is an example of that.  I'm proud to have known him.  He is like a father figure to all of us and a dear friend also, and I just want to take this opportunity to say thank you for all that you have done.  You have volunteered your time and you are so deserving of this honor."
Tickets for the event cost $60, and proceeds will go toward the expenses for the Bahamas team which will travel to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England.  The tickets can be accessed at the BAAA office at the current Thomas A. Robinson Track and Field Stadium, the Prescription Parlour Pharmacy on East Street South, A.G. Electric on Jerome Avenue and at the Colony Club.
"The BAAA is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and this is one of the events included as a part of the celebrations," said BAAA Public Relations Officer Alpheus 'Hawk' Finlayson. "This will be an excellent opportunity for Bahamians to thank Clarke and Burrows for their outstanding contributions to national and regional track and field over the years."
Clarke-Lewis was a member of The Bahamas' 4x100 meters (m) women's relay team which won the silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and the gold medal at the 1999 World Championships and the 2000 Olympic Games.  She first took part in the CARIFTA Track and Field Championships in 1980, and has participated in numerous CAC competitions since.  She has a personal best of 10.96 seconds in the 100m, achieved on April 29, 2000, which was a world leading performance at that time.
As for Burrows, he served as treasurer of the BAAA from 1968-1976.  He was team manager of numerous World Championships and Olympic track and field teams.  Burrows was a member of the Pioneer's Sporting Club and first represented the club in the BAAA in 1960. He is well respected as a facilities expert.

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