AKEEM Persaud, the 14-year-old old all-rounder who bats left-handed and bowls right-arm leg spin, is the latest young cricketer to benefit from Project Cricket Gear for young cricketers, a joint
initiative between Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executive Anil Beharry and Kishan Das of the USA.

Anita Kallicharran, wife of former West Indies ‘B’ team all-rounder Derek Kallicharran, Powan, of DX Sports, and Ramjit Singh, all of the USA, were the contributors to Persaud who was the recipient of one cricket gear bag, one pair of batting pads, one pair of batting gloves, one pair of cricket shoes and one bat.

Persaud is a member of Malteenoes Sports Club, Thomas Lands, Georgetown, and attends Annandale Secondary School. Receiving the gear on his behalf was his mother, Farida Gayadin, who thanked Anita, her husband Derek and friends for the kind gesture.

Kallicharran, his wife and friends continue to promote young cricketers in Guyana by giving back to their country of birth. The Kallicharrans, DX Sports, and Ramjit Singh are delighted to be part of youth development in Guyana, and encouraged young Persaud and others to focus on their game and studies at the same time. The joint initiative is proud to be part of this gesture.
The initiative wished him well, and encouraged him to continue his education to the highest levels.

Total cricket-related items received or purchased so far: $370 000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 18 pairs of cricket boots, 31pairs 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
pads, two boxes, 10 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fiberglass bat and 10 boxes of white cricket balls.

In addition to the foregoing items, more than $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, 71 young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 30 bats, three boxes, six helmets, 27 pairs of cricket shoes, 18 pairs of batting pads, 24 thigh pads, one bat grip, 31 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicket-keeping pads, and three pairs 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 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, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No. 65 Young Titans with 30 T-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk and Shamar Apple.

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.

Distribution will continue. Anyone interested in contributing to the project can contact Anil Beharry on 623-6875 or Kishan Das on 1 718- 664- 0896.