Veteran commentator “Reds” Perreira visits MSC Cricket Academy

The students who are currently part of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) Cricket Academy are counting their lucky stars after they were treated to a visit and talk from the best cricket commentator that Guyana has ever produced.

The St Lucia-based Guyanese was in his homeland for a series of interactive programmes, and decided to close off his trip with a visit to the recently-resuscitated Cricket Academy in Thomas Lands, Georgetown.
The 79-year-old spoke to the students, who range in ages from 6-18, about the importance of hard work and dedication, not only to cricket but also in their secular lives.
The half-hour-long interactive session saw Perreira telling the students about his younger days growing up near the Pomeroon River in Essequibo. Explaining that he grew up in a time when there were not any cell phones or televisions, the former commentator stressed how fortunate the students were to have that level of technology, given that all he had back then was a transistor radio.
“Having these things is a good thing and a bad thing, since while it gives you more opportunity to learn, it also reducing the time you spending speaking with each other,” Perreira stated.
He elaborated, “People sit next to each other and chat on WhatsApp to each other while young children spend all day on the Internet (on YouTube) which could affect their school work and physical activities. The parents must ensure that their children live a balanced life and it’s very good that you have brought your kids here.”
The former advisor to Guyana’s Sports Minister Shirley Fields-Ridley during the Forbes Burnham Government told the students which included several girls that they were the lucky ones to be growing up in a time when there are all sorts of gadgets, including smartphones, iPads, tablets ,and computers.
“Reds” stressed on the importance of education, noting that there is life after cricket.
“There are so many things you could learn here apart from cricket skills, but have focus on what the people that come to teach you things say and pay attention to and have respect for your Coaches.”
Speaking on his share of adversity, the former commentator shared how he had to overcome stuttering in order to become one of the best Caribbean commentators. As such, he reminded the students that anyone can be successful in whatever they do despite where they come from, but added that the best things in life don’t come easy and without hard work.
“You have to work with each as a team and don’t be selfish, respect your teammates, those you play against and the Umpires. You can win every time and when you lose try to learn from what you did wrong,” added “Reds”, who ended by asking “What brings success?”
“HARD WORK!” the Cricket Academy students shouted together.