FORMER Guyana national player, Berbician Vishal Nagamootoo, who resides in New York, is the latest contributor to project “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana,” the joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Guyana Cricket Board Executive Anil Beharry. This contribution also marked the second such by Nagamootoo.

The former West Indies “A” wicketkeeper/batsman, who is the brother and nephew respectively of former West Indies cricketers Mahendra Nagamootoo and Alvin Kallicharran and who narrowly missed selection to the West Indies Senior team, contributed one cricket bat which will be subsequently presented to a young and talented cricketer.

At a simple presentation held recently, Nagamootoo handed over one cricket bat to Aaron Beharry, a representative of the project. He pointed out that he was pleased to give back to the country of his birth and to young cricketers in particular. “I am also impressed with this gesture which has reached youngsters across the length and breadth of Guyana”, he concluded. In response, Beharry, thanked Nagamootoo and every one that has made this initiative successful so far.

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, 33 cricket bats, 29 pairs of batting gloves, 24 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, two chest guards, one softball cricket bat and 10 boxes of white balls.

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, 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.