THE Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) continued its tradition of recognising members who have performed creditably and have gained selection to the Guyana and West Indies teams, with a simple ceremony last weekend in the Fred Wills Pavilion in Queenstown.Kevin Boodie, Keemo Paul and Tevin Imlach will be leaving for various cricketing assignments overseas and were recipients of gifts from the club that has nurtured their talents.
Boodie is on his maiden trip with the Guyana Jaguars team to take part in the West Indies Cricket Board’s Professional Cricket League (PCL) 50 Overs Tournament. He received a bat from Mr Brian Glasford on behalf of Caribbean Clothing, a longstanding sponsor of DCC.
Tevin Imlach and Keemo Paul had outstanding performances in the Regional Under-19 tournament last year in Jamaica where they helped Guyana retain the Under-19 title and will be heading off to Bangladesh with the West Indies Under-19 team as they compete in the International Cricket Council’s Under-19 World Cup from January 22 to February 14. Keemo Paul has played with the West Indies U-19 team previously while Imlach is on his maiden tour. Both received a pair of batting gloves and US$100.
Among the attendees at the simple ceremony were Guyana’s Honourable Minister of Business Mr Dominic Gaskin, Member of Parliament Mr Trevor Williams, president of DCC Mr Alfred Mentore and other executives and members of the club, including former Test player Travis Dowlin and current Guyana Jaguars 50 Overs vice-captain Christopher Barnwell.
Minister Gaskin said it was an honour to be at the ‘Home of the Legends’ with such rich history in Guyana’s and West Indies cricket. Mr Gaskin commended the club in preparing and producing players for the national and international teams and congratulated the young players and told them they must feel honoured to represent the respective teams and be motivated to do well.
Trevor Williams, Dowlin, Barnwell, Lynden Lyght and Mark Griffith all wished the players well and reminded them not to be complacent while having fun and representing the club, the country and themselves proudly.
In response, Imlach said he was thankful for the support and will do his best in Bangladesh after putting in the hard work to reach so far. The soft-spoken Boodie said that was the first time he is being acknowledged in such a way and said he will do his part to take Guyana to the title this year along with Chris Barnwell and the rest of the squad.