“Playing with passion and pride, is what the generations before us did” - Minister Ramson

“Playing with passion and pride, is what the generations before us did” – Minister Ramson

Mar 03, 2024 Sports

Members of the historic 1983 Shell Shield First-Class and Geddes Grant/Harrison Line 83’ teams during their 40th anniversary Dinner at Princess Hotel

– Guyana’s stalwarts hailed at 40th anniversary Dinner and Gala for Shell Shield First-Class and Geddes Grant/Harrison Line 83’ teams

Kaieteur Sports – It was a legendary event fitting for some of Guyana/West Indies most iconic players, who were recognized for their historic run during the 1983 Shell Shield 1st-Class and Geddes Grant/Harrison Line 50-Overs season, with a 40th anniversary Dinner and Gala held at the Ramada (Princess) Hotel.

In attendance former Guyana 80’s Skipper Sir Clive Lloyd, former West Indies Test batsman Faoud Bacchus, West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper, wicket-keeper Milton Pydana, Monty Lynch and others who donned the legendary Maroon back in the glory days.

Other class acts and members of the Championship were teammates Garfield Charles, Derrick Kallicharran, Komal Singh, Ray Joseph, William White and others.

Special guests included Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Secretary Ronald Williams and executive Anil Beharry along with Senior Cricket Journalists Sean Devers, Clifton Ross and Charwayne Walker.

Delivering the feature address, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Charles Ramson Jr, welcomed the star-studded cast of players, along with their families and friends.

“Guyana is a country built on cricket. It is who we are. We wanted to outdo the English and for the period when Sir Clive was among the best in the world and he won the cup in 1975 and what it did was inject a level of confidence and pride into us as Guyanese”.

“We are all distinctly West Indian but the one essential ingredient is cricket. It’s our most successful sport and it’s a way of life”, Said the Minister.

“Playing with passion and pride the generations before us did that. We want to thank the players and former GCB president Norman McCLean. Also, on the behalf of His Excellency President Ali (currently out of the country) , he asked to give his best regards.

Sir Clive, during his speech spoke on the team’s journey during the 80’s, as he reminisced on their historic run during the 1983 season where Lloyd and his men became the first nation to capture both 4-Day and 50-Overs titles.

The legendary West Indies Skipper poked a few jokes at his old teammates, further adding to the joyous occasion. He hailed his teammates for their works back then which helped to create the foundation of Guyana’s strong cricket legacy.

Sir Lloyd also took some time to reflect and remember his fallen comrades, Roy Fredricks, Andrew Lyght and Clyde Butts, the latest to transition back in December 2023. Despite the absence, their teammates recognized their efforts and their places in the team which will never be filled.

GCB Secretary Ronald Williams gave detailed breakdown of the 80’s series, highlighting the top performers such as Lyght, Butts, Monty Lynch, Sir Clive and others who were among the top performers of the two respective series.

Williams also introduced West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph, who was a special guest at the dinner Gala.

Meanwhile, Joseph, West Indies cricket’s newest sensation, soaked up knowledge and tricks from the old school gang of stalwarts, as he mixed and mingled with the bunch.

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Charwayne Walker, Clifton Ross, Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Secretary Ronald Williams, Senior Cricket Journalists Sean Devers

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