HARD work was the overriding theme yesterday when St Lucia-based Guyanese Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira addressed close to 100 participants at the Malteenoes Cricket Academy in Thomas Lands. as he concluded his one-week stay in Guyana.

The 79-year-old Reds spoke to children between the ages of 6 and 18 for just over 30 minutes and emphasised the importance of hard work and dedication in order to achieve success not only in cricket but also in whatever they do in life.

Reds told the large gathering that as a boy living in the Pomeroon River in Essequibo, he had no TV or cell phones but he would listen to cricket on a small transistor radio before coming to the city to start his commentary career.

The former adviser to Sport Minister Shirley Field-Ridley in the Forbes Burnham Government, told the students, which included several girls, that they are the lucky ones to be growing in a time when there are all sorts of gadgets including phones, Ipads, tablets and computers.

“Having these things is a good thing and a bad thing since while it will give you more opportunity to learn it also reduces the time you spend speaking with each other,” said Reds, after all had raised their hands when asked how many of them owned cell phones.

“People sit next to each other and chat on WhatsApp while young children spend all day on the internet (on YouTube) which could affect their school work and physical activities. Parents must ensure that their children live a balanced life and it is very good that you have brought your kids here,” said Reds.

The veteran cricket commentator said that education is very important even if they become successful cricketers since there is life after cricket and encouraged them to stay in school, do their homework and work hard on their cricket development.

“There are so many things you could learn here apart from cricket skills but focus on what the people that come to teach you things say, and pay attention to and have respect for your coaches.”

He interacted with the participants and asked questions about what he had said and when the students were told to raise their hands if they were honest only one boy did not do so.

“It’s good that you are honest about not being honest but you have to start trying to be honest from today if you want to succeed,” Reds, who commentated on 147 Test matches.

“You have worked 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” everyone shouted in unison.