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World 100m record holder Asafa Powell (right), Olympic sprint relay gold medalist Sherone Simpson and their coach Stephen Francis (left), pose with their plaques presented to them by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) at a appreciation luncheon at the Hilton Kingston on Wednesday, December 13, 2006.

World 100-metre record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic sprint relay gold medalist Sherone Simpson, along with their coach Stephen Francis were on Wednesday honoured by the Jamaica Amateur Athletic Association (JAAA) at a luncheon held at the Hilton Hotel.

Guided by Francis at the MVP track club, both sprinters achieved tremendous success during the 2006 season.

Powell, who was voted the world's Male Athlete of the Year, equalled his world record of 9.77 twice while becoming the first man in history to run 12 sub-10 seconds times in one season. He also won the Commonwealth Games 100 metres, his first major title.

Simpson, who opened up the year with the Commonwealth Games 200-metre title in March, ran 22.00 (200 metres) and 10.82 (100 metres) for the fastest times over the sprints in two years.

In his commendation, JAAA's president Howard Aris hailed the two sprinters, along with others, for sustaining the tradition of Jamaica's sprinting, which he said was started by Norman Manley and Herb McKenley.

"We have been able to sustain these performances over the years," he said while making it clear that many countries' standard have dropped while Jamaica has managed to maintain theirs.

Regarding the world record, Powell is continuing the work, which McKenley ( who once held five world records at the same time) , started in 1948.

" Asafa you are maintaining the standard," Aris said.

He continued: "Today we must rejoice and pay tribute to these two athletes and their coach."

The pair and coach Francis expressed appreciation for the honour.

Powell said: "I hope you have something planned for next year, because we are going to give our best next year. As anything nice, we have to do it twice," said Powell with a smile.

"We are (a) small country, but we big abroad," he said with a smile.

Simpson also said thank you. "Thank you, JAAA, for showing Asafa, coach Francis and I that our hard work has been appreciated".

However, Francis while saying thanks, believes a track and field specific awards ceremony should have been done before now.

"I really, really appreciate this award," Francis said while praising the efforts of your coaches. He hailed Glen Mills, McKenley and Dennis Johnson as coaches from whom he learnt.

Several Olympians, JAAA past presidents Pat Anderson and Ray Harvey, former West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Pat Rousseau, several sponsors, sports administrators and coaches attended the function.