For Immediate Release
January 31st, 2005

Lee Ramoon Honoured
CIFA

Some 300 Caymanians and visitors were present at Pedro Castle St James on Saturday night to see son of the soil, Lee Ramoon formally receive the Centennial Order of Merit award of the International Federation of Football Associations (FIFA).

The medal, which elevates Lee to the highest level of world recognition in football, was pinned onto the lapel of this Caymanian role model by international superstar and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador George Weah.

“His desire to portray a positive image and become a role model for the youth of his country cannot be over emphasized,” said Mr Weah, the African Footballer of the Century and 1995 FIFA World Player of the Year.

“I don’t deserve this,” said Lee in typical modest fashion as he paid tribute to the many Caymanian veterans of the game with whom he played in his more than 25 years of involvement in the sport.

Lee, Director of Government’s Revenue Unit, celebrated his 40th birthday that evening and attributed football for his achievements on and off the field of play. He reminded those gathered to see him honoured, that it is the collective responsibility of society to ensure that young people are raised with the right attitude, and that involvement in football is one of the means of achieving this goal. “Youngsters today want to be gangsters, I wanted to be a footballer,” he said.

“Forty years ago, 15,000 people produced Lee,” said President of the Cayman Islands Football Association Jeffrey Webb. “To many Caymanians Lee is a symbol of Caymanian pride and achievement, and his symbolism lies in the fact that Caymanians can shine in the global sphere.”

Mr Webb added, “It can be said that the manner in which Lee conducted himself over the years on and off the football field for Cayman is mirrored in what George [Weah] has done and continues to do on the world stage.”

“He was among one of the first persons taking up the opportunity of a sports scholarship to a US university in the pursuit of higher education.”

Mr Webb, who as head of Cayman football nominated Lee for this lifetime award on the 100th anniversary of FIFA, called on government to follow suit and bestow Lee with a suitable Caymanian honour.

Leader of Government Business McKeeva Bush heaped praise on Lee’s mother, …, for the manner in which she raised her children, and pointed out that he has been associated with the Ramoon family for a number of years and even gave them their first insurance policy back when he was an agent.

“Lee’s love affair with football began as a youth. He was always playing, whether with family and friends in the neighbourhood or at school,” Mr. Bush said. Noting that Lee had gone to study at King College University in Tennessee Mr Bush said, “It was at King that he accomplished what many young players dream of – he was selected to play for the US All American Soccer Team and remained a member of that team for three years. And, that pinnacle was replaced by yet another, for Lee went on to play in the Vauxhall Conference in England”.

“He is truly an inspiration to our young athletes today. He inspires me also,” Mr. Bush added.

In delivering the vote of thanks, Mr Mark Scotland also gave credit to Lee’s mother for the inspiration she passed on to her son, and said to Lee, “You have joined prestigious company, and you are worthy of it”.