– GCC honours legendary commentator
By Brandon Corlette
Veteran Cricket Commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira returned to Guyana for a Night of Recognition at the historic Georgetown Cricket Club at Bourda. On a special Wednesday evening, tributes for Reds poured in from great individuals, including Sir Clive Lloyd, who appeared virtually.
During his virtual call, Sir Clive said: “We have been friends for quite a long while. He has seen me grow from a young guy to a Test cricketer. When I came to England for the first time in 1969, he was there, and I bought my first pair of shoes, he was my company. I must say he is very enthusiastic. He is someone I respect, and he has done extremely well with his commentary. We have been all over the world travelling. I can only wish him the best.
“When he (Reds) was injured in Australia, my friends looked after him and nursed him back to health.”
The legendary commentator Reds also spoke at the event, where he emphasized on the importance of cricket bringing all Guyanese together. Reds, who did commentary for more than 50 years, and travelled to all cricketing nations with the exception of Bangladesh, said: “If it is one thing that brings us together, it is sport, and in particular cricket.
“The inter-colonial series started. When the likes of Kanhai, Butcher and Solomon put together a score that beat the mighty Barbados team under Sir Garfield Sobers, Guyanese were happy. Guyanese were brought together, and it did not matter their colour, their race. Guyanese were happy that were beating Barbados. That was in the 50s.
“You then move on to 1965, when Lance Gibbs bowled out Australia here in a Test match. Nobody was thinking about which ethnic group he came from. It was a Guyanese making a contribution for the West Indies to win. Guyanese were brought together,” Reds said.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Reds had doubts about having an opportunity to ever return home to Guyana. “It is really good to be home. There were times during COVID-19 when I had my doubts if I would ever get back to Guyana, because it was a very rough time.”
Reflecting on his early days, Reds overcome stammering, and his late mom allowed him to do imaginary commentary in his young days. “It was never written in the wind or written in the stars that I would be a commentator. It was like wanting to be a racing driver with bad eyes, but I fell in love with cricket when I came to live in Georgetown,” the veteran commentator said.
Renowned businessman Nazar Mohamed was also honoured at the event with a life membership card from GCC, Bourda for his continued support of the club, and in the development in Guyana in general.
While many individuals are calling for the Media Centre at Providence to be named after Reds, he said the players come first. He noted that the Blairmont Community Centre Cricket Club should be named after former West Indies opener Roy Fredericks.
Reds now resides in St Lucia, where he hosts a radio programme. This Night of Recognition was made possible by some loyal sponsors. Royan Perreira, Nazar Group of Companies, Alphonso Group of Companies, Mohammed’s Enterprises, Ricky Sanasie, and other members of the GCC. (GTimes)