RHTY&SC, BCB honour Ministers Croal and Rodrigues with highest awards

…Ministers hail outstanding work of both organisations

“Both of you are positive examples that we would be delighted to have our young cricketers in the Ancient County use as role models. We are seeking to develop a culture of hard work, dedication, discipline, and both of you are perfect examples of these. The two organisations I am involved in would like to honour you as positive role models.”

Those were the words of Berbice Cricket Board President Hilbert Foster, who is also Secretary/CEO of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club. They were uttered at an impressive ceremony held at the St Francis Center in Rose Hall Town, East Berbice as the two organisations presented their highest awards to Ministers of Housing and Water, Colin Croal and Susan Rodrigues.
The RHTY&SC presented both ministers with their Dolphin Award of Excellence, while the Berbice Cricket Board presented them with the Tribute to Heroes Award.
Foster has said that the Dolphin Award is the highest award of twelve that the club confers on an annual basis, and it is specially reserved for outstanding friends of the club and persons whom the club would like its members to emulate. To date, a total of 70 persons have received the award, which has a maximum of one hundred awardees.
Among the other awards of the club are the Zenith Award of Excellence for club members, Tribute to Heroes, Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, Tribute to Medical Workers, and Tribute to Retired Teachers. Awardees include Prime Minister Mark Phillips, Minister Charles Ramson, Minister Vickram Bharrat, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Bakewell CEO Rajendra Ganga, and Namilco CEO Bert Sukhai.
The BCB Tribute to Heroes award is given specially to outstanding past players, friends of Berbice Cricket and positive role models.
Minister Croal, who was born in the county of Berbice, has said he has been following the outstanding work of both organisations, and is very impressed with the high standards they have set for others to emulate.
This Senior Minister has hailed Foster’s outstanding leadership, and has urged him to uphold the good work he has been doing. Noting that sports is a vital part of nation building, Minister Croal spoke on the importance of team unity, discipline, and positivity of mind.
In a special pitch to the RHTY&SC and the BCB, Minister Croal has urged them to network with a cricket club in Region One, where he serves as the Patron. Foster immediately accepted the offer, and has committed to assist the club with cricket gear; cricket educational materials, including the historic coaching manual; and some coaching, if arrangements can be worked out.
Minister Rodrigues in an impassioned and well received speech, urged the young cricketers present to always strive to be the best they can be. She spoke at length on the importance of an educational background, on staying grounded, and on aiming for the sky despite the obstacles along the way.
Like her colleague, Minister Rodrigues congratulated both organisations on their efforts to make a positive difference in the lives of youths, and said she is willing to play a part in upcoming activities, especially the promotion of education and social skills.
The ministers have expressed appreciation to the management of the two organisations for honouring them. They both received plaques, medals of excellence, framed certificates, and two special gifts each, while the BCB also handed each a special Berbice cap along with a copy of the Mortimer George book on Berbice cricket.
Regional Vice Chairman Zamal Hussain and Regional Executive Officer Navindra Persaud were among the other special invitees present at the ceremony.