BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers was among a select group of former players honoured by the Barbados Cricket Association(BCA) at a special ceremony on Wednesday here.

The incomparable all-rounder, who celebrated his 80th birthday earlier this year, was given the award as a member of the 1966 team which played in the first-ever Shell Shield Tournament 50 years ago, which marked the start of the modern era of the WICB first-class championship.

Among the guests present were members of the current Barbados and West Indies teams.

Barbados won the inaugural Shell Shield tournament early in 1966, a few months before the island gained political independence from Britain on November 30.

In that season’s tournament, Barbados played four matches and won three, with the other interrupted by rain.

Receiving the awards at the BCA’s annual Christmas lunch at Kensington Oval were former West Indies players, fast bowlers Charlie Griffith and Richard Edwards; wicketkeeper David Allan; batsmen Seymour Nurse, Peter Lashley and Robin Bynoe; all-rounders Tony Howard and David Holford, as well as other teammates.

“It is great to be honoured by the BCA and by your country,” said Sir Garfield. “This team from back in 1966 was a great team. We were following on from the great work started by the Three Ws — Worrell, Weekes and Walcott — so we had a great legacy to carry on.

“We had a few youngsters in the team, so everyone was really excited and did a great job.”

Noel Lynch, chief executive officer of the BCA, said: “It’s always great to have the Right Excellent Sir Garfield Sobers with us at the home of cricket in Barbados and we are delighted to honour him and his great team.

“They were fantastic, winning the first ever Shell Shield back in 1966, and today — 50 years later — we continue to salute them for what they did for Barbados and the great game of cricket.”