TRADITIONAL hardball and softball cricketers from Number 65 Young Titans are the latest players to benefit from “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyama,” the joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Executive Anil Beharry.

The club received two pairs of batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves, five pairs of batting gloves, one box, two cricket bats, one pair of thigh pads, 20 caps, one helmet and two gear bags. According to members of the initiative, this gesture is aimed at keeping as many youths as possible off the streets and get them involved in sports.
They pointed out that over the years, too many young kids are caught up in drugs and crime and it is their hope that the contributions will make a difference in their lives and the communities in which they live.

The caps were donated by former West Indies ‘B’ all-rounder Derek Kallicharran who now resides in the USA. The gear items were recently handed over to club leaders Chandradat Nankooar and Vanessa Khemraj.
Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $370 000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 17 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, two chest guards, two boxes, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one softball cricket bat and 10 boxes of white balls.

In addition to the above, $600,000 worth of 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.