East Stand at Windsor Park Renamed Thomas Kentish Park to Honour Cricket Legend
Thomas Zephaniah Kentish has been inducted into the Dominica Cricket Hall of Fame and the East Stand at the Windsor Park Sports Stadium renamed after him. Popularly known as TK, Kentish played cricket and football for Dominica and the Windward Islands – and is currently a cricket coach working under the Ministry of Sports.
Sports Minister Roselyn Paul on Friday said the East Stand at the stadium will now be known as “Thomas Kentish Stand.” She said this is to honour a foremost cricket player and coach who has dedicated his life to sports development in Dominica since 1973 – representing the country at national and regional competitions.
Paul said Kentish naturally gravitated to coaching cricket after his active playing years, saying he has mentored and grown reputable cricketers within and outside the country over the decades. She added that Kentish’s contributions to sports development will remain a lifetime legacy for coming generations to emulate.
Acting Prime Minister, Reginald Austrie, congratulated Kentish on being recognized for his contributions to sports in the country. “TK, today is your day; your legacy cannot be erased! So today, we induct you into the Hall of Fame of cricket in Dominica and in the Caribbean,” Austrie announced at the ceremony conducted to re-commission the East Stand in Kentish’s name.
In his reaction, Kentish thanked the government for the honour, saying he didn’t know that he would one day be honoured for playing for his country and serving as a cricket coach. He said he was blessed to have his name listed alongside those of whom he considered his mentors in the sporting world.
First of all, I would like to thank the Government of Dominica for bestowing that honor of naming the East Stand after my name. It’s an honor now for my name to be in the park with people like Billy Doctrove, Clem John, Kelleb Laurent, Nobert Phillip, and Adam Sanford…well, these people were my mentors so at least I follow their footsteps.
Thomas Kentish
Kentish was first called up to represent Dominica at the Under-19 Cricket Team when he was 14 in 1973. He later played for the Windward Islands and the Combine Islands in the West Indies. He joined the senior national team in 1975 and played till 1993. He played against Barbados, Guyana, and other countries in international tournaments. He participated in more than 200 wickets for Dominica and 135 wickets for the Windward Islands.
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