EARLIER this year, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr Frank Anthony challenged the executive members of Everest Cricket Club (ECC), who are currently celebrating their centennial anniversary, to chronicle the history of the club so that others can see where it came from in times past.

Dr Anthony issued the challenge while delivering some brief remarks at a special symposium, organised by the Club and given the support of the Ministry of Sport, where UK-based Professor Clem Seecharran was lecturing on the topic, ‘The History of Everest Cricket Club’.
Last Thursday, the club heeded Dr Anthony’s challenge and unveiled a 100-page full colour souvenir magazine in the presence of Dr Anthony, head of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman-Yassin and other special invitees, to further commemorate the club’s centennial anniversary celebrations at its Camp Road pavilion.
Dr Anthony, who delivered feature remarks before being presented with his copy along with another copy for the archives of the recently opened National Resource Centre, lauded those affiliated with the publication for their sterling effort, adding that the documentation of history is critical if the next generation is to appreciate where they came from.
“Many young persons are not enlightened on the history of the club, hence the importance of having such a document printed would bring them up to date,” said Dr Anthony, who also commended the club and its executives for standing strong over the years, adding that 100 years is a tremendous achievement.
He suggested that the club should embark on a booklet that captures its history in photographs as that will also help to give society a better understanding on what transpired decades ago, while promising to work along with the club, even as he called for strong club structure and leadership to ensure it achieves another 100 years.
President of the club, Stephen Lewis, said the realisation of such a magazine is just one of many activities the club has planned to celebrate its 100th anniversary.
“We have cultivated a rich and interesting history over the years, and so this magazine is intended to expose you and other readers to an extract of that history, as is stated on the cover of the magazine, highlights of our history,” said Lewis.
Publisher Vickram Singh explained the genesis of the magazine, which has on its cover three generations of cricketers from Everest, namely Rohan Kanhai, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, highlighting the past, present and future of the club.
He said the idea was born out of a desire to have the club’s history documented in a chronological manner and lauded all those who contributed to the compilation of the publication, pointing out that it was indeed a challenging task.
Petamber Persaud, one of the editors of the magazine, explained that there is much more to Everest history than what is captured in the publication, noting that many persons were reluctant to share whatever information they had on the club for reasons unknown.
He stated that it was a challenging project, but the end product is surely one that should be cherished and applauded the efforts of those who supplied the necessary information they had on the club, in order to make the magazine a success story.
The magazine captures the history of the club in four parts: 1914 to 1959, 1960 to 1989, 1990 to 1999 and 2000 to 2014, while there are several interesting pieces published which are thought to be a precursor to a book which the club has in mind to publish sometime in the not-too-distant future.
Those who came in for high praise for contributing to the magazine were Persaud, Oscar Phillips, Rajesh Singh, Chris Persaud, Navin Chanderpaul, Zaheer Mohamed, Selena Khan, Kenty Khan, Ronald Williams, Professor Clem Seecharran, Derek Kallicharran, Leana Bradshaw, Whitney Persaud, Kaycia Bower, Vanie Beepat and Calvin Roberts.
Written By Calvin Roberts