By Brandon Corlette
There is life after cricket and there is life outside cricket. In the case of former Guyana Under-19 Captain Shawn Pereira, he opted for the fashion industry, and is balancing his business while playing cricket.
The leg-spinner is also hoping to fulfil his lifelong dream by rekindling that national fire when he plays for the Guyana senior team (Guyana Jaguars).
In a recent interview, Pereira shared his journey and revealed his aspirations in business and cricket. “I always have a passion for fashion; I believe people express themselves through the clothes they wear. My business not only create that avenue, but it allows me to connect and build my networking,” Pereira declared.
He further highlighted the products he offers at Shawn Pereira’s Clothing: blazers, shoes, shades, Express T-shirts, and Express dress pants among a wide range of products. Sharing his aspirations for his business, Pereira said he was aiming to expand into baby clothing and female clothing along with cosmetics.
The leg-spinner, who has been playing for the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) for over a decade, has emerged as a natural leader, captaining teams at all levels. “That’s a very good club; they always encourage the youths to say no to drugs and stay in school.” Pereira said his years at the illustrious RHTY&SC have changed his life, not only in cricket but the club established the discipline he has maintained.
Pereira has been a consistent performer during his time representing Guyana’s youth teams, having a tally of 20 wickets in the three-day Under-19 tournament, including a helmet trick (four wickets in four balls), along with 196 runs. The leg-spinner achieved that rare feat against the Windward Islands in the youth tournament played in 2013.
Additionally, he was the best all-rounder in the Caribbean when he played for Guyana in the three-day tournament back in 2012. Reminiscing on that experience, Pereira described playing in Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis as great. “Playing with players like Chandrapaul Hemraj and Shimron Hetmyer, captaining them; it was a good experience and I was able to bring back some knowledge,” he added.
Since the emergence of COVID-19 and the resultant extended break to competitive cricket, Pereira has been keeping himself match-ready with intense training at the Fit4aking gym spearheaded by trainer Radley King and Coach Ryan. Pereira said he was focusing on his fitness and his diet, and he was also engaging in spot bowling drills.
Having gained recognition as a natural leader, he continues to encourage young and upcoming cricketers and share his wealth of cricketing knowledge. In addition to playing cricket in the Cricket Guyana Inc (CGI) franchise league and playing club cricket for the RHTY&SC, Pereira has plied his trade in Canada.
That stint in Canada allowed Pereira to gain great exposure playing among players from India and high-profile Guyanese stars.
