FOLLOWING a two-year absence, during which Executive Director of Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. (FFP) Leon Davis said his organisation was “overlooking” the achievements of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC), the Non-Governmental organisation renewed its relationship with Guyana’s most successful youth club.
At a simple presentation ceremony held in the Festival City-based boardroom of FFP, over $1M in cricket gear, educational supplies and snacks were handed over to the Berbice-based club, to be used during their upcoming Academy which gets under way next Monday.
“I would like to assure you that we were the type of persons following the movements and achievements of your club and I must admit that it was very successful with the things that you have done during our absence and we were quite impressed with what you are doing.
“I think now that our relationship will be much stronger based on what is happening with the youths in Rose Hall Town and the achievements the club has made towards cricket and when we read some of the activities that you have for the cricketers of your club, sometimes I wonder if some of the clubs in Georgetown have ever read of some of the wonderful achievements you have made so far,” said Davis.
He added, “Sometimes I feel that cricket is a vital tool in our country, as it brings people from all walks of life together and even though the West Indies team’s performance is nothing much to talk about of late, you hear people talking about withdrawing their support, but you go back on their word at the end of the day.
We, at FFP would wish to work very closely on the programmes your club has in place, as to us, we are on the same page, which is bringing some relief to the youths in our society today, as there is a serious crisis out there, as they have too much of time on their hands to do nothing and that’s where the clubs come into play.”
Davis said he admired the way RHTYSC has been creating programmes for the youths in the community of Rose Hall and Berbice on the whole, while complimenting the club on their Tribute to the Elderly programme of which he said his organisation is willing to be a part of when same gets under way.
He called on corporate Guyana to throw their support behind FFP, saying they are desperately in need of partnership, for even though people feel they are the biggest charitable organisation in Guyana, there is a need for help at times.
According to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RHTYSC, Hilbert Foster, the Academy is expected to attract a total of 120 youths, including male and female players, who would be supervised by a team of four coaches in the areas of batting, fielding, bowling and physical fitness.
Lectures would also be organised by the club on topics of interest to the youths such as Drug Abuse, Peer Pressure, Importance of Discipline and Education and History of Cricket among others.
“We are confident that at the end of the Academy, every youth would become a better cricketer and would understand their role as a sports ambassador and a role model within his club and community. And with Guyana’s cricket at an all-time low, heaven knows that our youths need to know what is expected of them and the RHTYSC is determined to play a role,” said Foster.
Foster expressed heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Chairman of FFP, Paul Chan-A-Sue, Davis, the young and energetic Jimmy Davis for their assistance in resurrecting the relationship between the organisation and RHTYSC.