By Joe Chapman

ON Tuesday at the presentation of four bicycles to youths who are aspiring to become national cricketers, vice-president of the recently elected Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) Andrew Forsythe said the choosing of the youngsters would signal a balance in terms of the distribution. Handing-over was done at the residence of cricket enthusiast Compton London, on Greenheart Street in Mackenzie, Linden. In his opening remarks Forsythe stated: “We know the history of the Butcher Family in relation to Linden. As you know Basil Butcher was once a former manager at the Demerara Bauxite Company and lived with his family here in Linden.
The Butchers also operated a business in Linden, so we are very pleased that the Butcher Family is still thinking of the people of Linden and Region 10.”

According to Forsythe, it was also his duty as vice- president of the UDCA to note that the vice-president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Hilbert Foster was very influential in terms of this presentation which is being made on behalf of the three sons of Basil Butcher, in collaboration with the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust Fund.
Forsythe added that the UDCA is pleased and happy with this gesture and looks forward to other agencies and business persons to make other such presentations. “We know that hard ball cricket has died but this newly elected UDCA and I as vice-president will bring back this aspect of cricket to this community and Region 10 (Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice) as a whole.”

Mrs Pamela Butcher, wife of the late outstanding West Indies middle-order batsman Basil Butcher, was on hand to make the presentation of the bicycles to the four youngsters on behalf of her three sons – Basil Jr, Brian and Bruce. She was pleased to attend the simple handing-over ceremony.
“On behalf of the Basil Butcher Memorial Trust and the Rosehall Town and Sports Club, I would like to make this presentation in collaboration with my three sons. I hope the kids make good use of the bicycles and try to do their best to become the cricketers that this town will be proud of,” were the brief remarks made by Mrs Butcher.

The recipients were chosen from across the Town of Linden. They are 18-year-old Aaron Lewis of Amelia’s Ward, 13-year-old Josiah Boston of the Linden Constabulary area and who attends the New Silvercity Secondary School, Joshua Manbodh aged 15 years of Mackenzie High School and who resides at Speightland and 15-year-old Ms Jade Simmons of Coomacka Mines. The GCB’s Community Development Cricket Officer and former national pace bowler Mark Greenville spoke also, noting the thrust that will be placed on developing the sport at schools and youth levels, as the GCB aims to revamp the sport in Linden and it’s environs.
Greenville, who also hails from Linden, said “I am disappointed with the state of cricket in Linden.”

He said while he was among the last set of players from Linden to play for the senior national team, he was certain others with the ability were unable to do so; not because they did not have the talent, but that the opportunities were not given to them and “because of certain people and grounds being not available.”
Grenville continued: “We are looking to develop male and female players in the area.”
It is hoped, Greenville said, that the bicycles will be used to have the youngsters attend cricket training and school for their academic studies.

Grenville announced that he intends to have training and eventually have competitions at the Under-15, U-17, U- 19 and Under-23 levels. But an effort will also be made to attract players in the Under-10 age category
Former Mackenzie Sports Club cricketer Compton London, who played with Butcher when he first visited Linden as a coach with the Bauxite Company, expressed the hope that with the regularisation of the sport this national sport will be played once again at a competitive level.
London noted emphasis will have to start at the level of the schools and various age groups.