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‘Nostalgic Moments’ now a nostalgic memory
Mar 22, 2009 Sports
By Michael Benjamin
Joseph ‘Reds’ Pereira, the man responsible for the ‘Night of Nostalgia’ a forum that provided a platform for local sports enthusiasts and Caribbean sports icons to relive great moments in sports in Guyana and the wider Caribbean, hosted the final segment of the programme on Thursday evening last at the Le Meridian Pegasus Hotel.
A sports enthusiast of no mean order and head of the Foundation christened after him, Pereira disclosed that the occasion has achieved its objective of sensitizing the Guyanese public of the rich sports history nestling within the Caribbean region.
He said too that he was honoured to have been able to work with some of the great icons in Caribbean sports, who have given freely of the time and expertise to make the programme a success. Some of the notable personalities that have appeared on the programme since its inauguration are former lawn tennis player, Ian McDonald and athlete, George DePeana.
Friday night’s panel consisted of former West Indies spin bowler, Roger Harper and batting ace, Sir Vivian Richards. Popular cricket analyst, Tony Cozier was also among the elite panel with Pereira himself contributing to the discussion.
Trinidadian, Fazeer Mohammed moderated while Harper, Cozier, Richards and Pereira reminisced on the rich culture of the sport while some visitors at the forum contributed by asking questions. Others sought clarification of some of the views expressed.
In his presentation, Harper tickled some minds by posing a rhetorical question of whether the attitudes and habits inculcated by past greats during the eighties could have been responsible for the success of the team. He also posited that it was very difficult for present day cricketers to adopt these habits. “We have to appreciate that we are a part of our environment and our behaviours mirror our environment,” he said. Harper believes that the present crop of cricketers ought to inculcate those qualities from the early stages of their career.
Richards spoke of a need for verbal interactions among players in order to foster cohesiveness. “I cannot help but to compare the current players with those of my era. We used to analyze the day’s play in an effort to identify flaws in our strategy and general approaches so as to make reparations,” the man dubbed ‘Master Blaster’ revealed. “We need to rekindle that spirit for the good of the game,” he added.
Richards also touched on the coaching sector. He compared those of his era with contemporary coaches and posited that the latter enjoyed more immunity than the former. “If the coaches of my era had similar scope our squad of players would have been stronger,” Richards argued. He also spoke of the need for respect among team members. “It has been quite some time that I’ve played competitive cricket but I still nurture deep respect for my captain, Clive Lloyd,” Richards said. He believes that contemporary players ought to reassert themselves in this direction.
Meanwhile Pereira said that while the presentation of the nostalgic night represented a closure, the ‘Reds’ Pereira Foundation would continue to contribute to the development of local sports. He said that his attention is now riveted in Buxton and his group will soon contribute to the construction of a boxing gym in the area.
“We are now engaged in a feasibility study and if there is a gym in the area we plan to assist with gears and other paraphernalia but if there is no gym we plan to have one constructed,” Pereira said.
Quizzed of the viability of his organization Pereira said, “While the Foundation has accomplished quite a lot, we would have liked to do much more.” He said that he would have liked to seek permission from past cricket great, Rohan Kanhai to convert his house into a museum but is still to get around to the task.
When asked to evaluate the work of the Foundation Pereira said, “We were extremely lucky to have utilized some of the best sports personnel within the region. They have given of themselves and never asked for a cent in return. For this we are indeed grateful.”
The Reds Pereira Foundation has made a contribution of a quantity of boxing gears to the President of the Guyana Olympic association, KA Juman Yassin last Thursday.
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