THE MEMBERS and patrons of the Queenstown-based Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), will now be able to host cricket matches and other disciplines in the evenings because of floodlights which are situated at keys points around the ground. 

This new addition to the facility is one that is welcomed by the Club and was made possible by the Guyana Floodlight Softball Cricket Association (GFSCA) and the DCC.
In his remarks at the commissioning ceremony last Monday, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony commended the two organisations for working together on this venture since some partnerships are challenging because of varying motives.
From the start of the discussions between the GFSCA and DCC, both entities agreed that the project was worthwhile with Dr Anthony noting that in Guyana’s long cricket history the DCC has contributed quite a lot to the development of cricket.
The Club is celebrating its 102nd anniversary this year and in the short period since the softball association came into being, it has also made a significant contribution to cricket in Guyana.
Dr Anthony said he particularly appreciated the softball association because it gives those who have retired from hardball cricket a chance to still be in the sport and the GFSCA has also been able to host a yearly softball tournament which included players from Guyana and overseas.
Dr Anthony told the gathering about the ground development project through which sports groups can receive up to $1M for sports development and it is anticipated that the development of community grounds will see more people participating in sports.
Acting president of DCC, Ian John, applauded the GFSCA for its support which will now enable the older cricketers to participate in more matches, adding that over 100 vibrant young players are being taught and mentored by the senior players.
John disclosed that the club has other developmental projects in place such as the construction of a pavilion and an indoor facility which augurs well for the continued development of all the cricketers attached to the club.
In his presentation, GFSCA president Ramchand Ragbeer noted that apart from the DCC, several other clubs were considered but DCC which is known as the ‘Home of the Legends’ was selected because it is considered as one of the leading cricket clubs in Guyana and they are pleased to be associated with the Club.
Ragbeer emphasised that this achievement took tremendous effort on both parties involved and other well-wishers, disclosing that the GFSCA has also expressed interest in assisting other sports clubs.