(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington, has extended congratulations to the 2008 International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Cricketer of the Year, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, on his receipt of a number of honours from Guyana, his native land.

Mr. Chanderpaul, former West Indian Cricket Captain, was given a heroes’ welcome on his return to Guyana for the First One-Day International between West Indies and England in the Digicel 2009 Cricket Series.

In a congratulatory message to Mr. Chanderpaul through the West Indies Cricket Board, the CARICOM Secretary-General stated, “The Government and people of Guyana have recognized your excellence at the national, regional and international levels by conferring on you the third highest national award: the Cacique Crown of Honour”.

“As if to disprove the old saying that a prophet goes without honour in his own country, the last week has also brought you the 2008 Guyana Sportsman of the Year Award, as well as the naming of the Shivnarine Chanderpaul Drive, which so aptly borders the historic Bourda Cricket Ground where your exploits on that famous sward have thrilled many over the years,” the message continued.

Extending congratulations on behalf of CARICOM, Secretary-General Carrington said, “We too in the Caribbean Community, celebrate your many successes especially because you have displayed humility, consistency, exemplary sportsmanship, and a commitment to teamwork and to the success of our beloved West Indies team.”

The CARICOM Secretary-General described the left-handed batsman as a “source of inspiration for all in the region, who had set himself apart as “a positive role model for youth and especially for young aspiring West Indian cricketers.”

He attributed Mr. Chanderpaul’s cricketing greatness to his “discipline, dedication, focus and skill, fanned by the fire of passion and determination”.