Nagico/Thorne-sponsored Joseph “Reds” Perreira visit an outstanding success

Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President Hilbert Foster has described the Nagico/Vernon Thorne-sponsored visit of the legendary Joseph “Reds” Perreira as an outstanding success which surpassed all expectations.
The four-day visit was arranged by the BCB with several objectives, including providing inspiration to young cricketers, to educate administrators on their duties, to strengthen the management of clubs and the BCB, and to allow youths to learn from Perreira’s vast experience of over 57 years of being associated with cricket. Perreira arrived in Guyana on Wednesday, July 18, and visited Blairmont, Albion, Rose Hall Canje and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), where he spoke to hundreds of junior cricketers.
At the RHTY&SC alone, he spoke to 120 youths about the importance of hard

work, dedication, practice and remaining humble.
The legendary commentator ,who described the 147 Test matches, 200 ODIs and 350 First-Class matches for which he provided commentary as a treasure and memorable, also held inspirational meetings with Executives of the BCB and Berbice Umpires Association.
Numerous visionary ideas were discussed and accepted by the management of the Cricket Board as it strives to lift Berbice cricket to a higher level.
Courtesy calls were also made to Region Six Chairman David Armogan and the Mayors of Rose Hall Town, Corriverton and New Amsterdam.
Accompanied by officials of the BCB, Perreira was able to inspire the elected officials to commit themselves to playing a bigger role in the promotion of the game and the honouring of outstanding cricketers by naming of streets, etc, as a mark of respect.
The highlight of the visit was on Saturday last as the BCB hosted over 70 youth Berbice players and representatives of 63 clubs from across the Ancient County in separate developmental sessions with Perreira and Foster.
The entire trip, Perreira stated, went like clockwork and he was totally impressed with the passion, vision, discipline and dedication of Foster, who is working beyond the call of duty to make a positive difference.
Perreira donated three boxes of cricket balls to the Board while the Umpires Association also received 24 counting clickers for its members.
Donations were also made to the Berbice Volleyball Association, football clubs, and the Berbice branch of the National Library.
The BCB also honoured the Pomeroon-born Perreira by presenting him with its highest award, “The Tribute to Hero Award of Excellence”. The St Lucia-based former commentator stated that he was humbled by the honour and committed himself to working along with the Board in the future.
The Board expressed gratitude to overseas-based Guyanese Imran Mc Sood Amjad, Vernon Thorne and Oscar Ramjeet for their assistance in making the visit possible.
Special thanks, according to the BCB, must go to Nagico; RHTY≻ Blairmont Cricket Club; Upper Corentyne Cricket Association (UCCA); Albion Cricket Club; Big ‘B’ Restaurant; St Francis Community Developers; Rose Hall Canje Community Centre; Regional Chairman David Armogan and the Mayors of Rose Hall Town, Corriverton and New Amsterdam.