FORMER Guyana wicket-keeper/batsman, Sheik Mohamed, owner and CEO of Star Sports, Award and Trophies of Logwood, Enmore, East Coast, Demerara has contributed 13 coloured cricket uniforms for Cold Fusion Cricket Club of Zeelugt, East Bank, Essequibo.

The club was formed in 2017 under the guidance of former Superintendent of the Guyana Police Force, Boodnarine Persaud, who has since retired. At a simple ceremony, held recently, Tavendra Mangra and Keon Alexander, captain and vice- captain of Cold Fusion, were thankful for the uniforms and wished Mohamed and the “Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana” programme well.

The initiative is the brainchild of Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executive member Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of the USA. According to Beharry and Das, their aim is to keep youths off the streets by getting them engaged in sports.

Total cricket-related items received so far: $310 000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 14 cricket boots, 23 pairs of batting pads, 27 cricket bats, 21 pairs of batting gloves, 21 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pad, four arm guards, two groin guards, six cricket bags and four helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed.

To date, 52 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 21 bats, two groin guards, four helmets, 19 pairs of cricket shoes, 13 pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber and 19 pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefitted from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club 13 uniforms while RHCCCC received two, 15 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 were also beneficiaries.

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 talent. Progressive and well managed clubs will also benefit.
Distribution will continue. Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.