The number of accolades that are being bestowed on West Indies batting star Shivnarine Chanderpaul increased Tuesday night when the 34-year-old left handed batsman was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), Guyana’s third highest award, by President Bharrat Jagdeo at a function at State House in Georgetown.
In making the announcement, President Jagdeo described Chanderpaul as an outstanding citizen and a true role model for young persons all around the world.
“Chanderpaul has been a beacon of persistence, dedication and hard work and an example to many of our young people and young cricketers, not just in Guyana and West Indies, but all over the world,” Jagdeo said.
“We are extremely proud of his achievement. The people of the village of Unity congratulate him for achieving this milestone. His example is what one could become if they persevere and make enough sacrifice and to that we show our appreciation with this award.”
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the Head of State stated, “Cricket is inter-related to our mood. It’s the wellbeing of the people of our land and when they (cricketers) do well, we do well. It helps us at the political and economic level because when they perform well, people are motivated and it results in productivity in the economy.”
In accepting the honour, Chanderpaul said his aim is to continue to do what he does best, make big scores and also be an ambassador for Guyana and the West Indies.
“I feel delighted,” said Chanderpaul, who is the ICC’s International Cricketer-of-the-Year and also Guyana’s Sports Personality of the Year for 2008.
“Every award is special and this one is quite special. It is always great to be recognized by your own people.”
Present during the function were members of the Guyana Parliament, members of the West Indies and England teams, officials from the West Indies Cricket Board and the Guyana Cricket Board, and some of the residents of Unity Village where Chanderpaul grew up and learned to play the game.
