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Reds donates first pieces of memorabilia to Sports Archives at National Racquet Centre
By Sean Devers
With rain pouring outside, Joseph ‘Reds’ Perriera yesterday presented to National Sports Commission (NSC) a stump from the hundredth Test match he commentated in when West Indies played Australia at Sabina Park in 1984 and a can of Beer specially made for the 1980 tour of Australia
‘Reds’ hands over the stump the Chairman of the NSC Ivan Persaud and Director Sports Christopher Jones to kick start the National Sports Archives which will be at the National Racquet Centre. (Sean Devers photo)
when West Indies won their first series down under.
The presentation was made for the National Sports Archives which will be housed at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue.
The 77-year-old, who has commentated on 147 Test matches, presented the pieces of memorabilia to Director of Sports Christopher Jones and Chairman of the NSC Ivan Persaud at NSC building on Homestretch Avenue as the first donation for the Sports Archives which is the brainchild Perriera.
Jones informed that when Perriera told him about the idea, he thought it was a good one and began looking for an appropriate location. Jones said he visited the NRC over the weekend and found a place there to accommodate the soon to be opened Archives.
“There are cricket museums in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Grenada but none here in Guyana. This archive will not only be for cricket but all sports to allow especially the young generation, know who are some of our outstanding cricketers and sports persons,” said Perriera, former advisor to Minister of Sports Shirley fields-Riddle.
Perriera said that each player and West Indian journalist was given a can of Beer which was made for the tour and he kept his for 36 years and now he wants it to be a part of the Archives.
Perriera, who donated the first two items, suggested a quick start to the project, those who have played Test cricket and are still in Guyana, should be approached while the relatives of the late Roy Fredericks and Ivor Mendonca, both former Test players could donate West Indies caps or other pieces of their equipment if they still have them.
“Players like Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Reon King, Colin Stuart, Travis Dowlin, Sewnarine Chattergoon and Brandon Bess are former Test players and I am sure they would be willing to contribute while those who live overseas should be contacted for their support,” said Perriera who now lives in St Lucia.
Perriera, who has worked in every Test playing nation except Bangladesh, said the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) has many photos on their wall from 1930 when West Indies won its first Test match at Bourda and arrangements could be made with the club to get copies of some of what they have.
Perriera said the cricket museum in T&T is housed at the Queens Park Oval and is not easily accessible to the public, especially young people.
Jones said Woolford Avenue is the perfect location since they are several schools on the street and when up and running the Sports Archive will be an education in Sports history which will hopefully inspire the students to greatness.
The Pomeroon born Perriera showed Jones and Persaud the autographed cricket shirt presented to him by the Guyana team who opposed Barbados in the first ever First-Class game under lights in Guyana and which ended on Monday night at Providence.
This was Perriera’s final First-Class game as a commentator as he has now retired from all cricket commentary. He was presented with an autographed shirt by the Barbados team, one of the match balls which were signed by the match officials, a stump used in the game and signed by the Umpires and the WICB official present at the game.
The stump was the GCB’s retirement gift to the veteran commentator although there was no GCB executive present at the match to hand it over to him.
Guyana Captain Leon Johnson also ordered a cake on behalf of his team which Perriera shared with each member of the NCN commentary team that covered the historic game.
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