Hero’s welcome!: Joyous scenes as Shamar Joseph is greeted by family, supporters upon return

Many were moved to tears on Thursday afternoon as joyous cheers, bright smiles, and celebrations met Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph when he disembarked a British Airways flight at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) as he returned home after his heroics in Brisbane, Australia.
Joseph, who hails from Baracara, a Canje riverine community in East Berbice, gained international stardom on Sunday last when he routed the Australian batting line-up by taking 7-68, to lead West Indies to their first victory Down Under in 27 years.

A smiling Joseph was immediately embraced by his mother, while he took his son into his arms even as the hugs ensued from his partner and other close relatives. Apart from his immediate family members, it appeared as though the entire village of Baracara had made the trip to the capital city to give Joseph the hero’s welcome that he so deserves.

“The win? That was one of our favourite moments as a team, you know. For myself, I was very happy that we achieve a great win in Australia. It’s something great!” Joseph shared as he reflected on the historic win with Guyanese media operatives. He added, “All we were thinking about was getting that win and be happy as a team and make our country proud.”

Touching on the grand reception at the CJIA on Thursday and the support from the wider Caribbean, the fast bowler related, “It lift me up a lot, you know. Knowing that you have support and people that believe in you is actually great. So, going out there to play with a lot of support behind your back is actually important to us. We felt it all the way from the entire Caribbean, not just Guyana. The entire Caribbean supported us! So, that was great for us.”

Possibly beaming even more brightly than Joseph were his parents, who were overcome with emotion at his arrival.
Joseph’s mother, Carlin Joseph, shared, “Well, I must say that we don’t have a TV up there, we look on our phone; but I’m so proud when I see all these things that he’s doing, and I’m happy. Right now I can’t even express my feelings, with so much joy in my heart; because I feel so sad afterward to know that he’s trying to do so much, and God will see him through.”

A proud Eustace Joseph, the cricketer’s father, expressed, “I just cannot express! It is a joyous occasion! I’m extremely happy to welcome my son back to Guyana!”
Joseph’s father continued, “It was a joyful moment, because everybody loves Shamar and everybody going out for him. People in Baracara never come out to watch cricket, but that particular night, the entire village come out to see Shamar perform.”

Among the officials who welcomed Joseph was Sport Minister Charles Ramson jr., who had an outpouring of encouragement for the cricketer. The Sport Minister declared, “This is God’s work! I don’t often get moved by a lot of things, but when I saw on that night – in fact, I don’t usually stay up late for particular events. I happened to have been up that night, and thank God I was up. I had the opportunity to see this young man,” Ramson Jr. stated.
“Our pure intention and goal for you is that you must be the greatest that you could possibly be ever,” the Sport Minister further related.
Joseph is also expected to meet with President Dr. Irfaan Ali at State House.