DEVENDRA Mahadeo of Number 19 Kendall’s Union, Lower East Coast, Corentyne, Berbice is the latest player to benefit from the ‘Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana’ project.

The 19-year-old Mahadeo was the recipient of one cricket bat, compliments of Romash Munna, a former executive of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) and Berbice first division cricketer. This is the second time he is making a contribution to this project. The project is a joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA.

The bat was handed over to Rudolph Baker who was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, representing Regal Legends in the 2022 Edition of Florida Cup.

Baker expressed his appreciation on behalf of Mahadeo and wished him well.

According to Munna, he was pleased to contribute to this noble idea which will surely help to produce more cricketers and strengthen Guyana and West Indies cricket. He said while much more has to be done to keep young people off the streets and away from crimes and drugs, he sees sports as a major way of doing so.

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $130 000 cash, 2 trophies, 11 cricket boots, 16 pairs of batting pads, 17 bats, 10 pairs of batting gloves, 19 thigh pads, 1 wicket-keeping pad, 1 armguard, 5 cricket bags and 1 helmet. In addition to the above, $600 000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicketkeeper/batter.

To date, 33 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefited from a junior gear bag, 2 trophies, 9 bats, 9 pairs of cricket shoes, 6 pairs of batting pads and 7 pairs of batting gloves. In addition, the Rose Hall Estate Cricket Club received a pair of stumps and bails; Two clubs in the Pomeroon area got 2 used bats.

Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees, Cotton Tree Die Hard and Rose Hall CCCC also received one box of red cricket balls each.

Cricket-related items, used or new, will be distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana.

According to Beharry, skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. “Talent-spotting is being done across the country and club leaders will also assist to identify talent.”

Beharry thanked the media for the role they are playing in promoting this venture