FORMER National Junior cricketer, Chetram Balgobin is the latest talented young cricketer to benefit from Project “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana.”
Balgobin represented Demerara and Guyana at the Under- 17 and Under-19 levels. The hard-hitting left-hander, a member of Enmore Cricket Club, who also bowls off-spin, was the recipient of one cricket bat. At a simple ceremony, held recently, he was thankful for the token and promised to continue to work hard on his game. The project is pleased to be part of Balgobin’s development.
Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370 000 in cash, 13 colored cricket uniforms, two trophies, 17 pairs of cricket boots, 31 pairs of batting pads, 32 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 23 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, five arm guards, two boxes, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets and one softball cricket bat.
In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by former National wicket-keeper Sheik Mohamed. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, 66 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 27 bats, two boxes, five helmets, 22 pairs of cricket shoes, 15 pairs of batting pads, two thigh pads, one bat rubber, 24 pairs of batting gloves and two pairs of wicket-keeping gloves.
Two clubs in the Pomeroon area also 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 received 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received three boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails.
Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem and youth coach, Travis Persaud and softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area.
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 programme, will also benefit.
Anyone interested in contributing can contact Anil Beharry on 623 6875 or Kishan Das on +1 718 664 0896.