‘It’s a wonderful feeling!’
WHEN Nicholas Hamilton was nominated for the People’s Choice Award at the RJR/Gleaner National Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year Awards for 2022, the 26-year-old felt he had won just by being nominated in a category which included Olympic gold medallists Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Shericka Jackson, both of whom had stellar years on the track last year.
However, much to his surprise — and to the surprise of many of the people in attendance at the awards ceremony at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston on Friday night — the Harbour View striker won the award for his splendid goal against Waterhouse in the semi-final of the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) last June.
Hamilton was at a loss for words in trying to explain how he felt about receiving the award.
“It’s a wonderful feeling! I never expected to win this award but words can’t explain how I feel right now. I was saying even being nominated for the award, I have already won but to actually win the award is unbelievable.”
The Holy Trinity High graduate described winning the award as the icing on the cake of a 2022 season when he won the JPL title for the first time.
“It actually puts the icing on the cake. Scoring that wonderful goal, winning the league, and now winning this award — it was a wonderful 2022,” he remarked.
He also noted that having the trophy on his mantlepiece will provide the motivation to aim for a repeat or even more trophies next year.
“This will motivate me to try to win this award again or try to win more.”
After a blistering start to the new 2022-2023 season Harbour View have cooled off somewhat, but Hamilton remains confident that his team can repeat as champions of the JPL this term.
“We had a good start to the season…I know the guys — we can get it back together and we are coming to be the champions again,” he said confidently.
And after finishing the regular season in sixth place and then going on to win the title last year Harbour View, who are currently in 5th place, cannot be ruled out of repeating as champions of the Jamaica Premier League in 2023.
— Dwayne Richards
