Hetymer (Male), Campbell (Female), Yadram (Junior) cops GCB Cricketers of year Awards

Dec 22, 2017 Sports, https://www.kaieteurnewsonline...ters-of-year-awards/

Story and photos by Sean Devers
President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Dave Cameron delivered the feature address after remarks from Dr George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Culture, Youth and Sports on Wednesday night when the Guyana Cricket Board hosted its annual Awards Ceremony at the Umana Yana.
Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Director on CWI Anand Sanasie was the Master of Ceremonies while President (ag) of the GCB President Fizul Bacchus provided a detailed review of Guyana’s cricket for 2017.
Left-handed batman Shimron Hetymer who turns 21 on Boxing Day was adjudged Guyana’s Cricketer of the Year after making his Test and ODI debut for the West Indies this year. The Berbician who became the first player from the Young Warriors Club in Canjie to play Test cricket has one fifty from his five Tests and made his ODI debut in the opening game against New Zealand on December 20 last.
The former West Indies U-19 Captain has made seven fifties and one century from his 24 games at First-Class level and his Award was collected by his father. The 25-year-old Shemaine Campbell, who plays for Rosehall Town Youth & Sports Club in Berbice, was named female Cricketer of the Year.
Although yet to play a Test Campbell has played 71 ODIs and 79 T20s for the West Indies and has one century and a fifty in ODI cricket. Her Award was collected by her Guyana and West Indies team-mate Tremayne Smartt.
Eighteen year-old Bhaskar Yadram, who hails from Enterprise on the East Coast of Demerara but plays for City side Everest, was voted Guyana’s Junior Cricketer of the Year and received the Roy Fredericks Trophy.
Yadram played eight ‘List A games’ (50 overs) for the West Indies U-19s and two First-Class matches for Guyana after making his debut against the Leewards Hurricanes in April at Providence.
Veteran Shiv Chanderpaul, who plays for Everest and was the Franchise player for Essequibo, was named Senior Regional Cricketer of the Year. The 43-year-old Chanderpaul, in addition to scoring three centuries for Lancashire, is one of five Guyanese with tons in the seven rounds of the Regional Four-Day Franchise league. His award was collected by his son.
Cameron said he has been able to move West Indies cricket from a position of indebtedness to one of profitability but he has come under attack from some quarters after his hard-line measures in order to achieve his goal.
”You the cricketers do not represent Guyana alone, but just remember you represent the people of the West Indies, and as a Guyanese you are a West Indian…if you are a Jamaican you are a West Indian,” Cameron said.
The Jamaican businessman said with the new strategic plan, it is the intention of CWI to have the players at the forefront.
”Our trust in our new strategic plan going forward is having our cricketers lead us, and if you lead us when we will follow and support,” Cameron said, adding that Guyana continues to be the success story for a renewed West Indies trust.
”I want you to understand that as players, you are ambassadors for the region, and so when you go out to play I want you to understand that you represent us as ambassadors for this wonderful region we are all a part of” the CWI head added.
Dr Norton pointed out that the achievements by each awardees plays a significant role in the Ministry’s vision and mission of social cohesion.”While the Ministry is playing its part in providing the balls for secondary school cricket, suitable playing conditions of grounds countrywide should by a front burner issue” the Sports Minister said.
Cricket Journalist of the year Rajiv Bisnauth, responding on behalf of the awardees, thanked the GCB for acknowledging their efforts as the awardees all work to ensure Guyana’s cricket remains at the highpoint not only locally, but regionally as well.
Special Service Awards went to: Bharrat Sookdeo, Tuschen Sports Club, Rayon Griffith, Esuan Crandon, Rajiv Bisnauth, Grantly Culbard and Daniel Richmond (Posthumously).
Special Recognition Awards went to: Shimron Hetymer and Raymond Reifer in recognition of them gaining selection to senior West Indies team but no mention was of Ronsford Beaton who became the first Essequibo player to play for the Regional side when he made his ODI debut in the opening match against New Zealand.
Joshua Persaud, Bhaskar Yadram, Ronaldo Ali Mohammed, Ashmead Nedd and Raymond Perez collected Awards for gaining selection on the West Indies U-19 World Cup team while Corporate awards were given to Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies, Scotia Bank, Dave’s West Indian Exports, Sterling Products Limited and Demerara Mutual Group of Companies. The Club of the Year award was won by the Albion Sports Club.
The Guyana Jaguars, Guyana Male Under-19 team and the National Female Under-19 team received team Awards. Other awardees were; Shabeka Gajnabi (Most Promising Female Cricketer of the Year), Keemo Paul (Most Promising Male Cricketer of the Year), Sheldon Charles (Most runs, wickets and Most Valuable Player in the Regional Under 15 Tournament), Sachin Singh (Most runs in the Regional Under-17 Tournament), Kelvon Anderson (Most wickets and Most Valuable Player in the Regional Under 17 Tournament), Raymond Perez (Most runs and Most Valuable Player in the Regional Under 19 Tournament), Ashmead Nedd (Most wickets in the Regional Under 19 Tournament).