By Colin Bynoe

THE 2018 edition of ‘Digicel Youth Cricket Series’ is here and for the second year Digicel has teamed up with Caribbean Premier League (CPL) to give high schools across six Caribbean countries the golden opportunity to be engaged in a coaching session with CPL coaches and players.

Digicel Guyana made a surprise visit to Berbice High School on Monday. This social call created much excitement for students as well as teachers.

The Monday morning was set up to be a surprise. The students were at assembly and under the guidance of their Headmistress (ag) Ms Aeisha Wong, who was well decked in Digicel Brand colour (red).

Digicel Guyana Public Relations Manager Ms Vidya Sanichara, accompanied by Marketing Executive Jason Lampley, made the first appearance to address the over six hundred enthused students.

Ms Sanichara told the students that she had brought a guest along with her. Seconds later, Guyana and West Indian leg-spinner, also a proud Digicel Brand Ambassador Devendra Bishoo, stepped onto the Berbice High School auditorium stage to loud applause.

Bishoo interacted with the students. He then gave them a brief rundown of the 2018 edition of Digicel Youth Cricket Series’ voting process and urged the large gathering of students to “vote www.digicelguyana.com/cplyouthseries”.  Voting ends Monday May 14.

Brand Ambassador Devendra Bishoo then made a public acknowledgement to one of his childhood coaches and teacher of BHS, Zahir Moakan.

Devendra Bishoo continued his sentiments when he imparted words of motivation to the students by saying, “One day I was like you guys, don’t ever make anyone tell you your dream is too big for you; not your friends not your family, not your teachers.” He pleaded with the students to always aim high, and to follow their dreams.

In wrapping up his visit, Devendra Bishoo took pictures, signed autographs and distributed Digicel branded caps to lucky students of the school.

Chronicle Sport took the time to speak to a few lucky recipients of Digicel branded caps and caught up with successful Berbice Under-15 captain Zinul Ramsammy, who spoke of his delight on having such a personality present at his school’s assembly

Young Ramsammy said, “To have a West Indies player at our school is amazing and I know it will help to inspire some of the children to play cricket.” He further stated, “It will inspire me more to follow up cricket and do my best.”

Faith Gajadar, a student of the school, expressed thanks to Digicel and Mr Bishoo for his advice and for the gifts they received.

How can you help your school to join this year’s Youth Series? Simply gather your friends at school and elsewhere, teachers, family and everyone else you know and get them to vote for your school.

The school with the highest percentage of votes per student population will win the full coaching session.