By Ravendra Madholall
Guyanese cricketers continue to be awarded for their outstanding performances in Canada. Just last Saturday, at the Our Own Sports Club presentation ceremony, several notable Guyanese players received trophies, plaques and monetary prizes for their showings in matches during this year.
The event took place at Lucky’s Restaurant in the vicinity of Highway 400 and Finch Avenue, Toronto, where former Guyana under-19 vice-captain Troy Gobin was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy after accumulating 432 runs with an impressive average of 72.00. He also hit the highest individual score, 147 not out against Pegasus in a preliminary round match.
Gobin attributed his success to hard work and commitment and was very thankful to his colleagues, who he said, gave him superb support, during his stay at the crease, on a number of occasions.
Meanwhile, ex-Guyana first-class batsman Shivnauth Seeram, who is also captain of the team, played a pivotal role in his team’s outstanding success, grabbing 17 wickets while another veteran player Mohan Singh captured 17 wickets during the season.
Seeram, who is the brother of West Indies “B” team and Guyana batsman Rabindranauth Seeram, had fascinating figures of 4-11 and 4-17 in two different games. Ben Loknath, who took a hat-trick, was also brilliant with the ball as he grabbed a 4-9 houl.
Former Demerara Inter-county softball skipper Mahendranauth Parasnauth, just back from Guyana where he represented New York in the Open Male category of the Guyana Softball Cup 111, received the prize for the most economical bowler for his team and the tournament.
His elder brother, Rabindra Parasnauth, also chipped in with an award for his 4-18, in a game.
Essequibo’s Jaimini Singh, who toured with the Guyana squad in 1989, was another special awardee for his 106 not out against Little’s Sports Club. Since his migration to Canada, almost a decade ago, the left-hander has been very consistent with the bat, having registered a plethora of plucky half-centuries.
Special incentive prizes were presented to Teddy Hussain, ‘Ultimate Player’ Loknath, ‘Mr Versatile’ Seeram, ‘Mr Tidy Clean’ Terry Ramraj, ‘Mr Early Bird’ Bhagwandas Budhoo, ‘Mr Behind The Success’ Ed Pestano, Chate Persaud and Jagnarine “Rambo” Ramdin.
Two of the club’s main sponsors, Extrudex and Iagjit & Jatinder Singh–Century 21 were honoured with plaques and gratitude was expressed to them for their continued support over the years.
The Masters 20-over tournament was once again run under the auspices of the Ontario Softball Masters Softball League. Our Own Sports Club defeated Guyana Sports in the championship played at the Scarborough ground.
