The achievements of Trinidad and Tobago captain Daren Ganga, his brother Sherwin and Samuel Badree were celebrated in their hometown of Barrackpore on Thursday night.
School children waving national flags lined the streets, as the sons of the soil arrived for the gala event opposite the Barrackpore Police Station-the safest place in the village.
Several members of the national cricket team were also present for the celebrations hosted by Barrackpore Sports and Cultural Committee.
The hometown trio were honoured for their outstanding performances at the Airtel Champions League 20/20 tournament in India last month and the President’s Cup in Guyana, where T&T retained the regional limited overs title last week.
And as the heroes made their way towards the stage, their fans roared with excitement.
The team was presented with a plaque by Congress of the People leader, Winston Dookeran, on behalf of the organising committee, while Chaguanas West MP Jack Warner also attended the function.
The players were entertained by singers Ravi Bissambhar and Hunter as they signed autographs and posed for photographs.
And they were lauded by community leader and school teacher Shaheed Allaham.
A framed poem was handed to the Ganga brothers and the team presented with a cake as a gift from a Barrackpore resident.
Ryerson Bhagoo, a member of the organising committee, said: ’We wanted to honour the boys who came from Barrackpore.
They are an inspiration to the youths living in the village and they have done us proud.’
Bhagoo said he was pleased that other members of the national team were able to attend the celebration.
’The community spirit and the togetherness in Barrackpore has contributed to our successes. Everyone looking out for one another, ensuring that you go on the right path,’ said Sherwin Ganga.
And the youths from the community were allowed to speak with members of the team during the celebration.
The team and members of the organising committee were later invited to have dinner at the Gangas’ home at Kanhai Road, Barrackpore.
