FEMALE player Dinelle Lindee and Andrew Bennett, both from the rapid rising Rose Hall Community Centre Cricket Club are the latest young cricketers to benefit from the joint initiative between Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executive member Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of the USA.

Lindee, who represented Berbice Senior and Junior teams, is a wicketkeeper/batter, was the recipient of pair of wicket-keeping gloves while Bennett, a right arm leg- spinner/batsman, collected one cricket bat.

At a simple ceremony held recently, the two 18-year-olds expressed gratitude for the assistance and promised to work hard on their game. The project is impressed with the youth and general development of this relatively young cricket club and is delighted for the opportunities the club provide for the young people in the community. Special mention was made of the coach Ameer Rahaman.

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 17 pairs of cricket boots, 30 pairs of batting pads, 31 cricket bats, 28 pairs of batting gloves, 21 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, four arm guards, two boxes, nine cricket bags, six bat rubbers and six helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicket-keeper/batsman. According to Beharry, all cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.

To date, 57 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 22 bats, two boxes, four helmets, 22 pairs of cricket shoes, 13 pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber, 19 pairs of batting gloves and one pair of wicket-keeping gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also collected one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club collected 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC got 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, along with the Town of Lethem were also recipients of gear while youth coach Travis Persaud received one box of red balls.

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 cricket clubs with a youth program, will also benefit.
Anyone interested to contribute can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718 664 0896.