Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

Renowned cricket umpire Steve Bucknor at Monday's National Honours and Awards ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre, St. Andrew. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

WORLD-RENOWNED cricket umpire Steve Bucknor received the Order of Jamaica (OJ), the fourth highest national honour, for outstanding service in the field of sports at the National Honours and Awards ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre on Monday.

The 61-year-old, who is on the International Cricket Council's (ICC) panel of elite umpires and stood in a record fifth ICC Cricket World Cup final in April, was among 12 Jamaicans who received national honours and awards from Governor-General Professor Kenneth Hall for their contributions to sport, its development and administration.

'Good to be recognised'

A FIFA football referee for nearly 20 years before turning to cricket in 1992, Bucknor was delighted that he was recognised for his hard work.

"It is good to be recognised by a country in the work that I do and, whether or not I deserve it, the recognition is always good and it's exciting and I'm very, very happy," he said.

The other awardees were Don Anderson, Maurice Foster, Robert Bryan and Molly Rhone, who received the Order of Distinction (Commander Class), Lorna Bell, Marva Bernard, Vincent Edwards, Phillip Gore, Hillary Jardine and Trevor Simpson, who were conferred with the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer, and Charles Joseph, who received the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service for more than 50 years of dedicated service as a groundsman at Sabina Park.

Honour Reception

International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) president, Rhone, and executive director of Special Olympics Jamaica, Bell, were late additions to the list after being recommended by Prime Minister Bruce Golding earlier this month.

Rhone, who has been IFNA president since 2003, headed the Jamaica Netball Association for 10 years and received the CD for her services locally and internationally to sports administration, particularly in the area of netball.

Bell was recognised for her contribution to sports, particularly in the Special Olympics.

Former champion jockey Trevor Simpson became the third jockey to be bestowed with the Order of Distinction (Officer Class) following in the tracks of Winston 'Fanna' Griffiths and Charles Hussey.

Anderson and Rhone will be honoured at a reception hosted by the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) at its headquarters on Cunningham Avenue tomorrow evening.