…4 legendary Test players receive Tribute to Heroes awards
Eleven outstanding cricket club administrators in East and West Berbice were last Sunday honoured by the management of the Berbice Cricket Board, under the BCB Tribute to Club Officials Programme, in proceedings held at the St. Francis Community Developers Centre during the BCB/Brian Ramphal Annual Awards Ceremony.
Dr Desmond Haynes receiving the BCB Tribute to Heroes Award from Cecil Beharry
Those honoured were Jaipaul Heeralall of D’Edward CC, Roshan Gafoor of Cotton Tree CC, Julian Moore and Tremayne Smartt of Tucber Park CC, Leslie Soloman of Port Mourant CC, Vemen Walter and Omarnauth Outar of Albion CC, Keith Hicks and Ravindranauth Kisoonlall of RHTY&SC, and Sydney Jackman and Dennis D’Andrade of the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association.
Among the things said of the honorees were that Walters, as President of the Albion CC, has played a major role in the development of Narsingh Deonarine, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Veersammy Permaul and Devindra Bishoo, among other players. Soloman has coached the Port Mourant Club to several youth championship wins. And Hicks and Kissoonlall, cricket managers of the RHTY&SC, have guided the careers of dozens of national players.
BCB President Hilbert Foster hailed the awardees as the unsung heroes of Berbice Cricket, who all worked behind the curtains to make sure that the rich legacy of Berbice Cricket is kept alive. He expressed gratitude to each of the awardees, and urged them to continuing serving Berbice Cricket.
Each of the awardees received a plate plaque, framed certificate of excellence, and a medal of excellence.
Julian Moore receiving the BCB Outstanding Official Award from Sir Andy Roberts
The BCB has also honoured five persons with its highest award – Tribute to Heroes. Those who received this award were Sir Andy Roberts, Dr. Desmond Haynes, CWI President Ricky Skerritt, Roland Butcher and James Clive Adams. The awards were bestowed on the five awardees by executives of the BCB in presence of a large gathering of players, officials and special invites, including West Indies players Veersammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Isai Thorne, Kevin Sinclair, Devindra Bishoo, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi and Sheneta Grimmond.
Dr Haynes (116), Sir Andy Roberts (47), Adams (54) and Butcher (3) have played a combined 219 Test matches, and were honoured for being friends of Berbice Cricket and positive role models for youths.
Adams also received the award on behalf of CWI President Ricky Skerritt, who was unable to attend because of overseas travel commitments to India on behalf of the regional board.
Each of the legendary players expressed gratitude to the BCB for honouring them. Sir Andy Roberts praised the outstanding leadership of BCB President Hilbert Foster, and expressed hope that he would continue to serve in the future. Each of the awardees received the Tribute to Heroes plaque, Medal of Excellence, and special gifts.
