THE Belle Vue, West Bank Demerara Sports Club benefited from sports gear yesterday, compliments of ‘D’ Division Commander Stephen Mansell and team.The handing over took place at the Belle Vue Community Centre Ground, where members showed up to accept the donation of a pair of cricket bats, a pair of circle tennis rackets and cricket pads to enhance sports in that community.

Mansell told this newspaper that about a month ago the secretary of the club, Chanmattie Muniram, approached him and requested the sports gear and he was able to fulfil that request yesterday.

He said the sports gear was purchased by the police and he was pleased to hand it over yesterday to the members, who expressed heartfelt thanks.

Mansell also accepted the position as president of the Belle Vue Sports Club and promised to do his best to make the club better.

The club has 25 males for cricket and 15 females for circle tennis and has been in existence for more than 40 years, but was inactive between the years.

The gesture by the ‘D’ Division police yesterday is intended to foster closer relations with residents, especially youths, and the police as part of their social crime-prevention programme.

The community has about 100 youths, some of whom are early school-leavers and they will soon be able to enrol at the Leonora Technical and Vocational Skills Training Centre for a four-week course in various disciplines.

The course is geared towards equipping youths between the ages of 15-25 years old with a lifeskill so they can be gainfully employed.

Club members said they recently organised a BBQ in an effort to raise funds for the purchase of sports uniforms.

They noted that the shed at the community centre ground is in dire need of repairs and Mansell has pledged his support in this regard and will donate a computer as well.

Club members observed that in the past they have played friendly matches with other teams, but they have not been able to utilise the ground, since there are four other teams practising there. (Michel Outridge)