Percival, Darlington, Moakan among those honoured as outstanding retired cricketers

BCB 80th anniversary celebrations 1939-2019…

The Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) as part of its 80th anniversary celebrations on Friday last continued its longstanding tradition of honouring heroes.

Six outstanding former players were recognised for their performances on the cricket field and for being ambassadors of the game in the Ancient County.
The players were honoured under the BCB Tribute of Retired Cricketers Programme, which was launched in 2009 under the presidency of Keith Foster. The players honoured were Sudesh Dhaniram, Kevin Darlington, Orvin Mangru, Andre Percival, Deonarine Persaud, and Zaheer Moakan.
BCB President Hilbert Foster, in providing a review of the Programme, stated that the current batch of Berbice players needed to know of the achievements of yesteryear players who dedicated themselves to the game despite the low financial returns in the past. While the current players enjoy huge financial incentives, the majority of past cricketers were involved in cricket owing to their love of the game. Foster promised that the BCB would continue to honour players, umpires, and officials as long as he remained the BCB President.
The six players were selected by the pro-active Board based on their performances on the field, role model status, personal discipline, and contributions to Berbice cricket.
Dhaniram represented Albion Community Centre, Port Mourant Cricket Club, Berbice, Guyana and West Indies B. He became a household name across the Caribbean when he scored two majestic centuries on debut against Barbados and Leeward Islands.
Foster stated that Dhaniram, if he was playing today, would have walked into the West Indies team. Kevin Darlington for many years during the 1990s was a permanent member of the fast bowling attack and represented Bermine and Berbice as well. Mangru, a product of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, represented Berbice and Guyana at the Under-19 level and holds the national record for the most wickets in an innings – 9 for 116 versus Barbados in 1999.
Percival would forever be remembered for leading Guyana to three consecutive Under-19 Championships and his leadership of the dominant Port Mourant Cricket Club in the 1990s. Percival was also a member of the Guyana team which won the first-ever Stanford 20/20 title and also played for the West Indies Under-19 and B teams. Persaud, for a number of years, captained the Port Mourant Cricket Club to numerous titles, including the National Bristol Cup. Persaud also represented Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies at the Under-19 levels.
Moakan was widely respected and known for his duties as an umpire, and was a productive cricketer at the First and Second Division level. A solid left-handed batsman, he represented the Police Sports Club and the Young Warriors Cricket Club before turning to umpiring.
Moakan spoke on behalf of his fellow awardees and expressed gratitude to the Board for making them feel special on the 80th anniversary of Berbice cricket. He hailed the work of the current executives, and urged all Berbicians to work together for the development of the game.
Each of the retired players received framed certificates, a trophy, medal and gift. The 2019 Tribute to Retired Cricketers Programme was sponsored by the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS, and Republic Bank.