USA-based Guyanese Ravi Lutchman, owner of JIS&L, NY and another friend (name withheld as per request) have donated the sums of $50 000 and $40 000 respectively towards “Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana, the joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) executive Anil Beharry.

Lutchman, who’s making his first contribution, is a softball legend, having represented several teams internationally, while his friend is on board for the second time.

Both are pleased with the work of the initiative and promised further assistance. Members of the initiative expressed thanks to the donors, pointing out that the monies will be used to purchase gear upon request. Once again, the project calls on corporate Guyana, private businesses and individuals to help to keep our youths off the streets through sports. Village leaders are also asked to mobilise the youths and get them actively involved in sports, thus keeping them away from drugs and crime.

“There has been a recent surge in teenage criminals and let’s work together to eliminate this from our society,” said a statement from this joint initiative.

Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $460 000 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 have benefitted indirectly too. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area received two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam 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 the 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 718664 0896.