– ‘Reds’ Perreira tells Guyana’s cricketers
FORMER Director of Sports in the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira yesterday told the Caribbean Twenty20 Champions Guyana they are the best of the Caribbean, hence their participation in the 2010 Airtel Champions League.
“I remember back in 1950, when the West Indies defeated England in that Test match in England, where all West Indians living in England stood head and shoulders above the Englishmen.
“I remember also the 1975 World Cup victory over Australia by the Clive Lloyd-led West Indies team, which stopped Parliament and traffic here in Guyana and at some junction, in the West Indies.
“A similar situation took place in Guyana a few weeks again, when you defied the odds and shut the mouths of the naysayers by defeating Barbados in the final of the Regional T20 competition in Trinidad and Tobago, ” said Perreira.
He added, “You did not win it by the lotto, neither was it given to you on a platter. You performed exemplarily well to win same, confirming your position as the genuine champions of the Caribbean.
“You were led by the best captain in the Caribbean, in no other than Ramnaresh Sarwan, a man who learnt his trade under Brian Lara and today your success are the fruits of his tutoring.”
At the time, Perreira was delivering a brief speech to the South Africa-bound Sarwan-led Guyana team at a special lunch orchestrated by managing director of Ansa McAl Limited, Beverley Harper, and hosted by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) at the Princess Hotel.
Addressing his audience which included Director of Sport Neil Kumar, president of the GCB Chetram Singh, manager of the national team Carl Moore and former West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper, Perreira charged the Guyanese to play to their best.
“What happened last year has no bearings on this year’s Champion’s League tournament, has no bearings on this year’s tournament. However, Trinidad and Tobago did advance to the finals of the tournament and with you defeating them on several occasions, it’s only fitting that you not only advance to the finals, but win it as well.
Within the side, you have a captain and person who have played in that part of the world before, so you have somebody or some bodies whom you can turn to with regard to information on the conditions there.”
He further stated, “However, once you play to your optimum, play to your full ability, skill and class, then you will surprise the world in the same manner you surprised the Caribbean with your T20 victory over Barbados.
You have been together for a long while, working together as a unit, with the make-up of the side featuring a lot of the players who won the Stanford 20/20 tournament back in 2006. But I want to urge you, to believe in yourself; back yourself to your full potential and you will be victorious.”
In her brief remarks, Harper who is also an ardent cricket fan said that the Guyana national team has been an inspiration to her over a number of years.
“This team, since they have been playing the Regional competition in Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago and even before then, has been an inspiration to me. Even when we lost to the Trinis on Saturday in the first practice match, I never lost hope.
“You gave me the strength and the renewed hope, with your convincing victory in the second game the following day, where you established yourself as the Region’s best. I have been following the Regional tournament on Cricinfo everyday of the tournament.”
“You have done so well, that you are really an inspiration to not only me, but many others out there and with that in mind, I wish to say heartfelt thanks from the depths of my heart.
“You have done us proud and I know you will make us prouder with your triumph in South Africa and with that I wish you all the best,” added Harper.
She closed off her speech by quoting former National Basketball Association (NBA) forward Michael Jordan who said, ‘Great and talented individuals win a game, but it is by team spirit and teamwork that a championship is won.’
“Great rewards to be had, but no greater that what you will be coming back to in one month’s time when you return to these shores with the trophy. Keep up the good work and best of luck in South Africa.”
Kumar thanked the GCB for producing such a championship winning team over the years.
“You have done well, making us proud as you kept the Golden Arrowhead flying high and proudly over the past month and I would like to say thanks to the GCB for producing such a champion team.
Sunday’s performance was magnificent and it is something you must seek pride in, as you were able to draw 15 000 cricket-loving fans to the National stadium despite your loss the previous night and with that in mind, the Government of Guyana will be offering its unflinching support to you,” stated Kumar.
Singh took the time to officially congratulate the team on their Regional triumph while wishing them all the best in South Africa, after which manager Carl Moore stated the gesture by the GCB is surely an inspiration to the team and vowed his charges will do well in South Africa, under the astute leadership of Sarwan.
The Guyanese will break camp on Friday, before they depart these shores on Monday for South Africa where they play their first game in the 2010 Airtel CLT20 against Royal Challengers Bangalore on September 12.