By Frederick Halley

TORONTO, Canada — Former Guyana and West Indies Under-19 batsman Hemnarine Chattergoon, who led Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club (HACC) to four of their six consecutive championship victories in the Premiere League of the Scarborough Cricket Association (SCA) tournaments, was fittingly honoured when the club held its annual presentation, dinner and

dance last Saturday night.

Chattergoon, who announced his retirement at the end of last season, was the toast of the auspicious celebration, held at the Palace Multi-cultural Centre, Milvan Drive, North York, Toronto.
Long-standing president of HACC Narchand ‘Archie’ Mohan paid glowing tributes to Chattergoon for his outstanding contributions over the years as a batsman and an astute leader and while acknowledging his decision to call it quits, reminded him that “the door is always open to him once he has a change of heart”.

The stocky right-hander, who is fondly remembered for his marvellous century versus Pakistan in 1997 at the Kensington Oval, Barbados in the Under-19 series and was immediately touted as a future Test player, was rewarded with a plaque, compliments of Trophy Stall Guyana. It read: “For your outstanding dedication, commitment and contribution as a player and leader of Hawaiian Arctic Cricket Club”.

Mohan also announced that Chattergoon and family will be granted an opportunity, at his opportune time, to visit Lethem and be accommodated at the 747 Bar & Lounge, through the generosity of his nephew Vishal Mohan, one of the club’s main sponsors.
In an invited comment, Chattergoon described his joining of HACC in 2010 as a “political move” after he was specially invited to the club’s presentation. He was subsequently named captain two years later and has the unique distinction of leading the team to four Premiere League championships.

Reflecting on his decision to join HACC, Chattergoon disclosed that he had no regrets but insisted that he had played his last game when the 2016 inaugural Elite season ended, citing work commitments as his main reason.
In the 2014 Premiere League semi-final, Chattergoon was at his imperious best, slamming a scintillating unbeaten 217 versus Bawa XI, leading from the front as HACC clobbered their opponents by 136 to reach the final, which they duly won.

While Chattergoon went on to play for Canada, he still fancies the century at what is regarded as the mecca of cricket in the Caribbean as his most memorable moment in the sunshine game. “I thoroughly enjoyed playing cricket but scoring a hundred for the West Indies Under-19 team, especially when we were asked to follow-on, is still fresh in my memory,” he asserted.
Another former national player, Azib Alli Haniff who rolled back the years with some brilliant innings last season, was also in the limelight, copping the trophy for the best batsman in 2016 while first-timer Imran Khan who hails from Wakenaam and was unavoidably absent, took the best bowler prize.

The club also took the opportunity to recognise all of its players, supporters and sponsors for their varying contributions especially over the unprecedented winning streak which ended in 2016. Each was presented with a commemoration ‘punch’.
Apart from the several sponsors who were in attendance, the occasion was also graced by the presence of former Guyana and West Indies player Sewnarine Chattergoon who was holidaying in Canada. Sewnarine, the brother of Hemnarine, represented the West Indies in four Test matches and 18 One-day Internationals.