The Guyana Cricket Board has provided trophies for The Young Warriors Cricket Club’s “East Canje Day of Sports” to be held on November 6, 2016 at the Cumberland Ground. At a simple presentation ceremony held recently, former West Indies pacer Colin Stuart presented the trophies to Rafeek Kassim, president of the club. Kassim thanked the GCB and every other sponsor who have supported the event. Stuart said that the GCB is pleased to be part of this fund-raiser. Anthony Ameerally of Memorex, Art Sawmill and Massy Distribution are the latest sponsors on board.
Over the years, the East Canje area produced many talented cricketers with the latest being young West Indies winning captain Shimron Hetmyer. Leonard Baichan was the first and only test cricketer coming out of the area. Seon Hetymer, Gajanand Singh, Damodar Daesarat, Richard and Kevin Ramdeen, Balram Samaroo, Kwesi Maltay, Linden Austin, Boodnarine Sumair and Kassim Khan are among many others that represented Guyana at the various levels.
The teams will be drawn from the area and some of those expected to take part are Canefield, Gangaram, Canje Pathfinders, Betsy Ground, Goed Bananen Land and Rose Hall Estate.
The cricket competition will be of five overs aside and will involve second division players. However, the teams are allowed to buy the first division players in the area with the starting bid being two thousand dollars with the exception of Shimron Hetymer whose starting bid will be ten thousand dollars,similar to IPL style.
In addition, there will be sprint races, lime and spoon, bag race and a feature football game involving players from #2, Palmyra, Sheet Anchor and Cumberland versus the other villages in East Canje. Attractive incentives and gate prizes are up for grabs with the oldest male and female fan receiving a hamper each. Proceeds from this event will go towards the host to help continue promoting cricket in the area. The first match bowls off at 9.30.