SINCE the turn of the millennium in 2000, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) has enjoyed a highly successful relationship with baking conglomerate Bakewell and yesterday at a simple presentation ceremony, the latter recommitted its sponsorship to the former’s Under-17 and second division teams. In his brief remarks prior to the handing-over of the sponsorship cheque worth $200 000 by Bakewell’s General Manager Rajindranauth Ganga, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Secretary of Guyana’s leading youth and sports club Hilbert Foster said his club’s success over their 21 years of existence was not achieved by dreams alone.
“For the past 21 years, the success of our club has not been achieved by just dreaming, but sheer hard work, visionary leadership, honesty, dedication, faith in our God and by the unbelievable support we have received from our donors and sponsors.
“In this difficult economic situation, it is almost impossible to get sponsors to commit to any relationship, much less a long-term one and to do so requires good understanding, trust, faith in each other and most importantly, to produce the results that sponsors want for their investments.” said Foster.
The 2009 National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Sports Personality-of-the-Year said the abovementioned requirements were met by his club, hence Bakewell’s commitment to partner with them for the 12th year, amid the economic situation.
“There is no doubt that today we are Guyana’s leading youth and sports club and one of the main reasons is Bakewell’s support.
Over the last 11 years, they have supported us in both good and bad times, while being the official sponsor of our Under-17 and second division teams, and also co-sponsoring our television programme, annual youth magazine, cricket academy, anti-drugs and pro-education programmes, awards ceremony and Christmas luncheon amongst others.
Today, we are gathered here once again, as Bakewell renews its commitment to the club’s Under-17 and second division teams, investing into the future of our youths for the 12th year.”
He continued, “This special relationship has played a major role in the development of players of the calibre of Esaun and Royston Crandon, Assad Fudadin, Delbert Hicks, Dominic Rikhi, Shawn Pereira and Shemaine Campbelle and would continue to do so to many others who will one day go on to represent, Berbice, Guyana and even the West Indies.
Fourteen junior national, four seniors and a total of 51 players for Berbice along with several titles at both levels, all came about because of this sponsorship, with Royston Crandon representing the West Indies at the limited overs level, Fudadin at the ‘A’ team level, Campbell and Erva Giddings at the female level and Esaun Crandon playing in the Sixes team.”
Foster said the RHTYSC who over the years has undertaken and completed hundreds of projects that are too numerous to mention, would like to extend profound gratitude to Bakewell for its continued confidence in the club and vowed to continue representing the brand with pride, passion and commitment, while upholding the reputation of being agents for progress and development.
He took the time to update Ganga on the new developments taking place at the club, which include the election of several executives under 19 years of age, who are being trained to take over the leadership role of the club in the not-too-distant future.
“Over the years, we have seen clubs dying away after several prominent executives decided to call it a day in their administrative posts and with the successful trend being set by the RHTYSC during our existence, we don’t wish to be numbered and fingered amongst such failures.
It is with that in mind, that the RHTYSC has decided to elect and train several teenagers in the role of administration, where they will be able to take over the reins when the older executives decide to call it a day, and at the same time, uphold the image of the club while maintaining the fabulous relationship with its list of sponsors,” said Foster.
Ganga said RHTYSC’s results have spoken volumes for them over the years of their existence, thanking the organisation’s management, people around it and list of co-sponsors who all made it possible, including his very own Bakewell.
“Bakewell is just a small group of people in the midst of the club’s success, but we are happy to be there and we hope the club continues to grow from strength to strength, reaping numerous success along the way as it has been doing over the years.
Bakewell will continue to contribute and be a part of the RHTYSC and other sports body and communities as we see it fit, since we believe it is our obligation to do so and we wish to thank the RHTYSC for having us on board and at the same time, wish them the best of luck in the future,” said Ganga.