GEORGETOWN – Guyanese players from the West Indies Under-19 and WI Women World T20 champions came in for high praises recently.
The contribution of three young men and two young women were recognised by several ministries and organisations at a simple ceremony held at the 704 Sports Club.
On the honour roll were Shimron Hetmyer who captained the West Indies Under-19 team to their first victory in the ICC World Cup in Bangladesh in February, along with his Guyanese team mates Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach.
The two females, Tremayne Smartt and Shemaine Campbelle, were part of the WI women’s team that claimed their first World Twenty20 over Australia in Kolkata on April 3.
The cricketers each received a plaque from the National Sports Commission, a trip to Kaieteur Falls from the Ministry of Tourism, a bag of goodies from Digicel and jewellery from King’s Jewellery World.
“You did us well, you did us proud…we see you making each and every Guyanese proud, and we also recognise that you are great ambassadors of our country, and we wanted to say thank you with a very small token,” Minister of Telecommunication with responsibility for Tourism, Catherine Hughes said.
The Ministry of Tourism granted the cricketers the trip to Kaieteur Falls.
She especially singled out the female cricketers for commendation, noting that, “the ladies in Guyana feel extra proud”, of their accomplishment.
Digicel’s Head of Marketing, Jacqueline James also sang praises to the female cricketers saying, “We must celebrate our champion women, it is a first, it is great.” She told the girls that they were “icons, champions and stalwarts”, and expressed confidence that their performance would have inspired a number of young girls and females, who want to join the world of sports.
“You have now become role models of the highest level in Guyana,” she noted.
She urged the men to work within their communities, and to encourage others to get involved in sports. She promised that “Digicel is with you all the way. We will support you in all you do”.
Meanwhile, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Nicolette Henry called the cricketers’ performance, a “demonstration, representation and embodiment of what true inspiration is”.
She noted that the performance could not have come at a better time, on the eve of the country’s 50th Independence Anniversary, which will be celebrated under the theme Reflect, Celebrate and Inspire.
She promised that the Ministry will recognise the cricketers, during the 50th Anniversary celebration.
The cricketers are also to be honoured at a special reception on Monday by the Guyana Cricket Board. (GINA)
