PROMISING 18-year-old fast bowler Nehemiah Hohenkirk is the latest young cricketer to benefit from Project Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana, a joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Executive Anil Beharry.

The Transport Sports Club player, who narrowly missed selection to the 2023 National Under-19 team, was the recipient of one pair of cricket shoes.
Hohenkirk represented Demerara at the Unde-19 level and was a reserve player in the Demerara Senior Team that won the recently concluded Senior Inter County Super50 tournament. He attended North Georgetown Secondary School where he attained 11 subjects at the CXC level and is currently a second-year student at the University of Guyana pursuing Mechanical Engineering.

At a simple ceremony held recently, Hohenkirk thanked the project for the support and promised to work hard on his game with the aim of representing Guyana and West Indies. The initiative is happy to be part of his development.

Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $370,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 18 pairs of cricket boots, 31 pairs of batting pads, 32 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 24 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two boxes, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, two chest guards and one softball cricket bat.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket-keeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.

To date, 69 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, 23 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.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area have benefitted from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each; Cold Fusion Cricket Club 13 coloured uniforms while RHCCCC got 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, softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans and Just Try CC, National fast bowler Shemar Joseph and Nehemiah Hohenkirk.

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 in identifying 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.