Guyana’s most renowned Cricket Commentator, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, yesterday launched the Berbice Cricket Board’s (BCB) Wall of Fame at the Tain Faculty of the University of Guyana in Corentyne, Berbice.

The 84-year-old Reds, who lives with his wife in St Lucia, was accompanied by his daughter, Kimberly, and former West Indies off-spinner, Roger Harper, to the Ancient County to launch the programme that will have the names of all International Cricketers from Berbice.
Thirty-one players who represented the West Indies at the test, ODI or 20/20 level were inducted into the wall of fame starting with John Trim, who made his debut in 1948 and ending with Ashmini Monsieur, who debuted in 2023.

The list of inductees are Trim, Rohan Kanai, Ivan Madray, Basil Butcher, Joseph Solomon, Roy Fredericks Alvin Kallicharran, Leonard Baichan, Sew Shivnarine, Clayton Lambert, Narsingh Deonarine, Mahendra Nagamootoo, Devendra Bishoo, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Ashmini Munsieur, Veerasammy Permaul, Gudakesh Motie, Brandon Bess, Shimron Hetmyer, Assad Fudadin, Candacy Atkins, Shemaine Campbell, Erva Giddings, Sheneta, Tremayne Smartt, Shabika Gajnabi, Romario Shepherd, Royston Crandon, Milton and Kevin Sinclair.

BCB president, Hilbert Foster, stated that discussions started early in 2023 but were put on pause when he (Foster) fell ill in February.
According to Foster, the GCB and UG resumed in July and agreed on the setting up of the wall of fame, two scholarships for cricketers, a Berbice cricketer electronic board, personal development sessions for youth cricketers, publication of a coaching manual and honouring of legends of Berbice cricket.
Foster thanked the university for their co-operation in making the wall a reality and special mention was made of the vice- chancellor.
The BCB head spoke of upcoming programmes which included 100 youth cricketers receiving $8 million worth of gear, $3 million in coaching equipment for 23 youth teams and the hosting of an Under-9 inter-club tournament.

The unveiling of the historic Wall was attended by senior officials of the university, BCB, cricketers and students of schools in the area.
Those in attendance included Chancellor Edward Green, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Paloma Mohamed Martin, Director of the Tain campus, Professor Gomes; BCB President Hilbert Foster; guest speaker Roger Harper, international cricket commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira, Regional Executive Officer, Navindra Persaud, and sports officer Randy Mangru. Chancellor Edward Greene spoke on the role of cricket in the West Indies and stated that the university was pleased to be associated with Berbice cricket. Vice-Chancellor Dr Paloma Mohamed Martins was impressed with the vision of the BCB and as such readily agreed to partner with it. She stated that the university will soon be hosting new courses in sports management and sports medicine. The vice-chancellor also disclosed that the university will be giving out 20 scholarships including those to Berbice cricketers.
She expressed confidence that the relationship between the university and the BCB will be expanded in the future.
Harper stated that he was confident that the Wall of Fame would inspire youths to dream big and to work harder, noting that the BCB, under the leadership of Foster, was doing an outstanding job of properly molding its players.

Harper noted that players have to be prepared for hard work and that coaches can only prepare players for the task at hand if they are willing to work hard.
West Indies A vice-captain, Ashmini Munsieur, expressed thanks to the BCB and university for honouring the heroes. She stated that it was an honour to be recognized as a hero of the country.

‘Reds’ commended UG and the BCB for the Wall of Fame which can serve as a motivator to young Berbicians.
“With its rich history, the Hall of Fame includes some of the greatest cricketers the world has ever seen.
A similar facility should be built in the Turkeyen Campus to honour all great Guyanese cricketers who played for the West Indies,” concluded Reds.