Giddings, Bramble, Hetmyer among many awarded at BCB 2018 Awards

By Brandon Corlette
A colourful gathering was present at the historic Port Mourant Community Centre Ground on Sunday, June 23, for the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB’s) Brian Ramphal Awards Ceremony, where awardees received bicycles, trophies and medals in recognition of their outstanding performances in the year 2018.
As expected, West Indies player Shimron Hetmyer was awarded Male International Player of the Year and Cricketer of the Year.

Among the other big names awarded were: Anthony Bramble, who received the National Senior Player Award; and Erva Giddings, who expectedly was awarded Female Cricketer of the Year, while West Indies female cricketer Shemaine Campbelle also was expectedly awarded Female International Player of the Year.
Among the special invitees were Region 6 Chairman David Armogan, Regional Vice Chairman Dennis Deoroop, Rose Hall Town Mayor Chattergoon Ramnauth, New Amsterdam Mayor Winfred Haywood; and there were several other guests.
Kick starting the award ceremony, the GuySuCo Training School boys showcased their talent with some dancing, while Levy Nedd, president of the Volleyball Federation in Guyana, entertained the gathering with some chutney music.
Chairman Armogan, speaking at the ceremony, urged the youngsters to continue striving for greatness, and expressed satisfaction at the work the BCB has been doing for cricket.

BCB President, Hilbert Foster, who has often led from the front with great integrity, thanked all those who assisted to make the awards ceremony a success; especially Brian Ramphal, who assisted by providing over $200,000 to make successful this second edition of the BCB Awards.
Foster also encouraged the successful cricketers to give back to those who had played a role in their journey to this point.
West Indies Under-15 selectee, Port Mourant’s Rampertab Ramnauth, was named the Under-13 Player of the Year 2018, while Jonathan Rampersaud was named the Under-15 Player of the Year. Blairmont’s Seon Glasgow was named Under-17 Player of the Year, while Keith Simpson was named Under-19 (ODI) Player of the Year.
Former Berbice Under-19 captain Kevin Sinclair was named the Under-19 Player of the Three-Day Inter-County tournament, while Shabika Gajnabi was named the Under-19 Female Player of the Year and Javid Karim was named the Under-21 Player of the Year.

Albion’s Gourav Ramesh was named Most Disciplined Male Player, while Marian Samaroo was named Female Disciplined Player of the Year.
West Indies Under-15 selectee Isai Thorne was named Most PromisingMale Player, while his Rose Hall Canje team mate Ashley Ramnauth was named the Most Promising Female Player. Young Warriors’ Trevon Stanislaus was named Most Improved Male Player, while Uma Matadeen was named Most Improved Female Player. Andre Percival was named Coach of the Year (Inter-County), while CWI Level Three Coach Winston Smith was named Local Coach of the Year.
Local Umpire of the Year award went to Moses Ramphal, while Imran Mokhan was named Regional Umpire of the Year. Devindra Lalsa was named the Second Division Player of the Year in the West Berbice Zone, while Balram Samaroo was named the Best Player in the New Amsterdam/Canje Zone.
Junior Sinclair, named the Most Valuable Player, received a bicycle in addition to trophies and medals for being adjudged the Second Division Player of the Year in Lower Corentyne. Rishi Persaud was adjudged the Best Player from Upper Corentyne.
Blairmont Community Centre, awarded Guyana Cricket Board’s Club of the Year in 2018, was awarded BCB Club of the Year in the West Berbice zone. Shimron Hetmyer’s Young Warriors club, which had had a resurgence in 2018, has been named Club of the Year from New Amsterdam/Canje.
Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club was, without doubt, awarded the Best Club in Lower Corentyne, while No 72 All Stars were adjudged Top Club in the Upper Corentyne area. Rose Hall Canje and Fyrish Cricket Club were adjudged the Most Improved Clubs.
Special awards were given to all who played a role in development of cricket in Berbice, including media houses and personnel who promoted the game in the ancient county.
In addition to cricket clubs acquiring balls from the BCB and grounds men acquiring rain coats, the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association was awarded for being one of the most successful in the ancient county. The victorious inter-county teams were also awarded.