SEVENTEEN-year-old batting all-rounder, Jeremiah Hohenkirk, is the latest beneficiary from the “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana,” a joint initiative by Kishan Das of USA and Anil Beharry, executive member of the Guyana Cricket Board.

Hohenkirk, who plays for the Transport Sports Club, a Georgetown based cricket club, represented the President’s X1 in the recently concluded GCB Inter County Under-17 tournament. He is a student of Government Technical Institute.

According to Hohenkirk, “I am very thankful for this bat and promise to fulfill my full potential in the game and at the same time, concentrate on my studies.”

In response, Beharry said that the initiative is more than happy to assist this young player, while promising more help in the future.

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $270,000 in cash, two trophies, 12 cricket boots, 19 pairs of batting pads, 25 bats, 15 pairs of batting gloves, 19 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pad, two arm guards, six cricket bags and three helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket-keeper/batsman.

To date, 42 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefitted from three junior gear bag, two trophies, two arm guards, 17 bats, one box, three helmets, 12 pairs of cricket shoes, 10 pairs of batting pads, one bat rubber and 12 pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. The Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard Club also collected one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC got two boxes, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the town of Lethem also benefitted.

Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent-spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well-managed clubs will also benefit.