NSC Chairman urges cricketers to remember 4D’s of success
CHAIRMAN of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Conrad Plummer last Saturday night urged cricketers in the Ancient County of Berbice, to always remember the four D’s of success in not only their cricketing lives, but their everyday ones as well.
Delivering the feature address at the fourth Annual Berbice Cricket Board ’s (BCB) Award ceremony which was held at the New Amsterdam State House, Plummer told the audience, which included former Guyana and West Indies players Basil Butcher and Roger Harper along with vice president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Bissoondyal Singh, that the four D’s were a testament to Jamaica’s Merlene Ottey’s success.
“In life, nothing comes easily, especially success, but if you have the four D’s which are Discipline, Dedication, Determination and the ability to cope with Disappointment when it comes your way, then you can certainly achieve success” stated Plummer.
Earlier in his brief remarks, the NSC Chairman spoke of the rapid changes taking place in society today, stating, “Sometimes you are called upon to run fast, just to remain on the same spot, especially in this dynamic and fast changing world, one that if you do not match the pace of changes in the environment within which you operate, you will soon find yourself drifting further and further behind the pack.”
Plummer reminded the invited gathering which also included Guyana and West Indies fast bowler Brandon Bess in the company of national teammates Veerasammy Permaul, skipper Assad Fudadin and middle order batsman Royston Crandon, that the winds of change are rapid.
“Such rapid changes require mental fortitude and the mental capacity to not only accept the change, but influence that change in a positive manner and that is why I think the Berbice Cricket Board needs to be congratulated not only for the good work that it has done over the decades, or the good work that it has done over the last year, but also for the innovative programmes they sought to introduce” declared Plummer.
Some of the programmes highlighted by Plummer included The Mentoring Programme, Tribute to Mothers and Fathers of the Year and the Educational Awards as he expounded on each.
He reminded the awardees that they were the best Berbice has to offer and while he urged them to celebrate to the fullest at the present moment, he was not hesitant in letting them know that the training for the new year ahead begins the following day.
“Remember those that went before you, those who acted as pathfinders and long ago laid the trail so you can follow today.
Cricketers such as John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher, Joe Solomon, Leonard Baichan and Alvin Kallicharran, just to name a few. Emulate their examples and when the time comes for you to leave the sport, ensure that the sport has grown and benefitted while you were a part of it” added Plummer.
Prior to Plummer’s feature address, president of the BCB Keith Foster thanked the numerous sponsors who ensured that the BCB continues to be labeled the best administrated cricket board in Guyana with their support which helped to maintain the numerous programmes during 2010.
Chairman of the BCB’s Special Events Committee (SEC) Hilbert Foster outlined some of the activities undertaken by the BCB during the year, including Mentor/Role Model Programme for Young Cricketers, Tribute to Retired Cricketers, Narsingh Deonarine Trust Fund and donation to Berbice Blind Cricket Association among others.
The SEC chairman, who is also the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the BCB, also took the time to list some outstanding feats achieved by Berbice cricketers last year, making special mention Bess’ Test debut which made him the 14th Berbician to wear the maroon cap for the West Indies.
Well wishes were extended to the BCB from Singh, Harper, Regional Chairman of Region Six Zulfiqar Mustapha, Presidential Advisor of Region Six Faizal Jafferally and Mayo of New Amsterdam Claude Henry.
The BCB also launched its second National Communications Network (NCN) Under-15 tournament while national female coach Michael Franco Hyles was honoured under the BCB’s Tribute to Heroes Programme, with present BCB Secretary Angela Haniff doing the honours to induct Hyles.
Guyana and West Indies ‘A’ right arm leg spinner Devendra Bishoo topped the list of awardees, carting off four individual awards including the BCB Cricketer of the Year Award, with female West Indies all rounder Shemaine Campbelle winning the Female Cricketer of the Year for the second successive year.
Zahier Moakan, Adrian Amsterdam, Winston Smith, Albion and Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club were named Umpire, Inter-county Coach, Local Coach, Team and Club of the Year respectively, with injured national opener Sewnarine Chattergoon, the Role Model of the Year.
Bishoo, Shimron Hetmyer, Shawn Pereira, Lloydel Lewis, Harrinarine Chattergoon, Steven Latcha and Royston Crandon were all named Berbice’s Regional, Under-13, 15, 17, 19, 23 and Inter-county Player of the Year 2010.
Bishoo, Lewis and Nermala Sewdat, who was the chairperson of the night’s proceedings, were also named the senior, junior and female disciplined players of the year, with Arif Chan, Akeem Hinds, Parmanand Ramdhan, Kierre Henry and Daniel Lewis listed as Promising Players for the Future.
Fudadin, Bishoo, Bess and Permaul were rewarded for their West Indies ‘A’ team selections while the BCB saw it fitting to acknowledge the selection of Campbelle, Tremayne Smartt and Subrina Munroe to the female West Indies team in 2010.