ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) today paid tribute to Anthony “Tony” Harford, who passed away in his sleep at his home in Cascade on Friday following months of challenges with his health can easily be labelled 'Mr Sports' of Trinidad and Tobago.
He was 68 years old and everyone called him 'Harfie'. He leaves to mourn his wife, two sisters, brother, son Jarred who currently resides in the United States and brother-in-law Keith Cadet, family and thousands of friends.
CWI said Harford was a long-standing highly-respected sports administrator and sportscaster, who also played a major role in the development of cricket at all levels. Mr Harford was a leading figure in the marketing and promotion of sports, including working with the Trinidad & Tobago football team to the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
In the 1990s he worked with the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) in the marketing and sponsorship of the West Indies team and accompanied the players on tour. Tony’s work in cricket also included the development of age group cricket tournaments and grassroots cricket. He was the lead coordinator and fundraiser for the first-ever West Indies U17 tour to Australia and established an annual “windball” (tennis ball) tournament for amateur players from across the Caribbean.
“Tony was a loyal son and selfless servant of West Indies and Trinidad cricket. He had a tremendous love of sports and profound knowledge of the ins and outs of all sports. His service to youth cricket in the Windward Islands was especially innovative and impactful. In the 1990s he relocated the annual Windwards youth tournaments to Trinidad where he found adequate sponsorships to keep the age tournaments alive at a period when the Windwards cricket board was financially strapped. He loved young people and was dedicated to seeing the growth of the sporting industry as well as and the development of individual sportspersons,” CWI Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow said.
“On behalf of CWI’s President, Directors and staff, I would like to extend condolences to the Harford family and loved ones, as well as the sporting fraternity in Trinidad & Tobago.”
Newly elected president of the NAAAT&T George Comissiong wrote:
"We also mourn his passing. The NAAATT joins with the rest of the sporting community in mourning the passing of Anthony Harford. Tony as he was more affectionately called was a true friend to the Association, always willing to assist when called upon.
He served as Event Promoter and Marketing Manager of the 2003 Carifta Games that was held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, which proved to be a resounding success. His template for the Games has been used for subsequent regional meets in our country. Based on the success of the 2003 Carifta Games, Trinidad and Tobago won bids for both the 2005 Carifta Games, held at Dwight Yorke Stadium and the 2006 Central American & Caribbean (CAC) Junior Championships, held at the Hasely Crawford Stadium.
Tony also served as Master of Ceremonies for NAAATT’s Annual Award Ceremony on various occasions; each time refusing compensation saying “I won’t charge for my voice”.
He also assisted in establishing what has become an annual charter flight to the Carifta Games by sharing his knowledge of the airline industry and leveraging on his extensive network of contacts. Tony was a true benefactor to our association.
We extend condolences to his family and friends in this period of bereavement. May he rest in peace."
Sports journalist Astil Renn wrote:
"To me Anthony Harford can be described in four words. Kind, Resourceful, Approachable and Professional. When I started in the field of sports journalism over 30 years ago, Anthony Harford was one of the shining lights and examples in the profession
I remember going to sporting news conferences at Holiday Inn (now Radisson hotel) and, during those discourse the voices which dominated the proceedings were that of the late Dave Lamy, Anthony Dennison, kirk Perreira, George Baptiste and Anthony Harford. Despite being one of the giants in the field Anthony Harford treated me with great respect and always had a word of encouragement not just for me but all the young reporters. Anthony Harford was always open to questions and discussions and was willing to take the time to clear up the matter during the press conference which was puzzling to us.
Anthony Harford was never aloft and never talk down to young reporters as some of his peers did.
One of the other qualities I admire in Anthony Harford was his personable approachable at any given time. I felt at ease and comfortable in his company and, he always greeted and welcomed young aspiring sports reporters to the profession. In doing so his words were, "You guys are the future of this noble profession.” I thought at the time Anthony Harford will be around forever because of his massive influence on so many of us. On hearing of his passing on the morning of December 3rd, I realized how wrong I was at the time. Another of his qualities that made him outstanding was his resourcefulness. He was a walking lexicon on the sporting landscape. Anthony Harford loved to talk about how he got started in Radio Broadcasting and the legendary stalwarts he worked with. He repeated his mantra for success on every given occasion on how they loved the profession and worked hard.
Anthony Harford was truly the consummate professional. He was blessed with a ‘smooth voice’ and his diction and delivery were of the highest order. He was the best Master of Ceremony I have had the pleasure of hearing in this twin-island state. Anthony Harford showed his class as an intellect, all while being witty and jovial behind the microphone. To me, there was and will be no one his equal.
There is always sadness at one passing, but I am comforted with the fact that I had the privilege to work alongside such a man although he was an iconic figure never lost the common touch. May he be welcomed by his Maker as he did to thousands during his stint on planet earth."