USA-based Guyanese, Derek Kallicharran and Shazam Hussain have once again provided support in the form of three boxes of white cricket balls to “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyama,” the joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana.

The presentation was done on Kallicharran’s recent visit to Guyana during a friendly cricket game to honour the national team that won the double in 1983 (Shell Shield and Geddes Grant/Harrison Line).
The project also calls on corporate Guyana, private businesses and individuals to help sports clubs in their areas. Village leaders are also encouraged to mobilise the youths and get them actively involved in sports and keep them away from drugs and crimes.

According to members of the initiative, “there has been a recent surge in teenage criminals and we should work together to eliminate this from our society.”

Total cricket related items received/purchased so far: $370 000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, 20 pairs of cricket shoes, 33 pairs of batting pads, 35 cricket bats, 30 pairs of batting gloves, 25 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest guards, two boxes, 11 cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one softball cricket bat and 13 boxes of white balls.

To date, 72 young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefitted from eight gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 31 bats, three boxes, six helmets, 27 pairs of cricket shoes, 18 pairs of batting pads, 24 thigh pads, one bat rubber, 31 pairs of batting gloves and three pairs of wicket-keeping gloves.

Many other youths would have benefitted indirectly too. 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 and youth coach, Travis Persaud, softball teams in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans, Just Try CC, Wakenaam Cricket Academy, National fast bowler Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple and Leguan Cricket Committee, Essequibo.

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.