Sports Minister, Charles Ramson Jr. and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) congratulated West Indies spinner, Gudakesh Motie on his record-breaking feat.
In a statement yesterday, Ramson said, “Motie’s achievement belies his struggle to even be selected to the West Indies team – a perennial problem which Guyanese have faced over the decades – yet underscores the fountain of talent which exists on Guyana’s fertile shores.”
“His accomplishment, along with that of [Tagenarine] ‘Tage’ Chanderpaul, justifies the investment which the H.E. President Irfaan Ali led Government of Guyana is making sports and community grounds – consistently the largest ever in our country’s history,” the statement continued.
The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club left-arm spinner recorded the best bowling figures (13-99) by a West Indies spinner in Tests, surpassing Sonny Ramadhin who held the record since 1950. It is also the third best overall figures in Test cricket by a West Indian bowler and the best at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
It was also a solid series for the Guyanese players with Chanderpaul recording 207 not out in the first Test.
“The road to success is not smooth or straight and Motie’s record-breaking achievement should also be an inspiration to all young Guyanese. The Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission continue to wish him and his family all the best,” Ramson said.
His home club, Albion in a statement noted, “We at the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club are very proud of you and would like to congratulate you on this achievement. We are very confident that this is just the beginning of greater things to come as there is no doubt that you have what it takes to become not only a great West Indian left-arm-spinner but a great West Indian cricketer since we are also cognizant of your batting ability.”
