As well as being inducted into the Berbice Cricket Board’s Wall of Fame

Cricket in Guyana and commentary in the Caribbean cannot be discussed without talking about Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira. Although mostly known for his contribution to the field of commentary, Perreira has played many roles and has worn many hats over the decades in various aspects of sports.
And today his hard work, continued passion for sport and his contribution to its development is being recognised with an honorary Doctorate from the University of Guyana.
The handing over of the Doctorate will take place on the 18th of November. Additionally, on the 16th of November the University of Guyana will be collaborating with the Berbice Cricket Board to exhibit the Berbice Cricket Wall of Fame at the Tain Campus.

The wall which Reds will be inducted into, will display all the names of the county’s twenty Test cricketers and eleven others who played ODI and 20/20 at the Male and Female levels.
Reds has been active in sport for more than five decades and is still very active as he is set to host a commentator’s workshop from today to Friday 17th at Bourda from 09:00 hours daily. But receiving an honorary doctorate was, however, not something he expected. He stated that, “I feel very humble. And when I got the email on Wednesday morning, going to my computer with a cup of coffee, I saw it and I couldn’t believe it. It struck me almost in a frightening way, That I am about to receive an honorary doctorate.”
Although a great honour, Reds said that with all the work he has done, his aim was not to be rewarded or even recognised. Even after his role as successful sports administrator in Guyana and for the seven islands that form the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the many years of broadcasting cricket, Reds explained that all his work and effort was simply as a result of his love for sport.

He shared that, “You do not do a life’s work in sport or any other profession to be recognized. Whether its law or engineering. You do it because, in my case, an early interest in sport took me in that route. And you make sure that whatever you lead, whatever you are a part of was well organised and well ran. Ensuring that there is transparency, and there are reports and it is a success story.”

Reds went on to emphasise that despite being honoured for his successes, there were many other people who played a role in getting him to where he is today.
He stated that “It is important to note that whatever opportunities you get in life, its other people who gave you those opportunities. Without them you would not have made the mark that you have made. You don’t do it alone; it is not a one man show. I did have a sport foundation in Guyana and I invested ten thousand US dollars to do training programmes and I am happy about that.”

Throughout his challenges and successes, Reds said that he will remain the same and as humble as he has ever been, saying that, “I think my work at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States for twelve years, was a tough twelve years. But I am happy about the results that came out. That to me was the most important thing. The honour, I am very humble about, maybe people may see it as the icing on the cake. But it will not affect me. I will still be the same Reds Perreira born in Essequibo.”