ON Thursday in sweltering heat at the historic Bourda Cricket Ground in Georgetown the United Nations System in Guyana and the Guyana Blind Cricket Association, in collaboration with the Guyana Amazon Warriors/CPL-OPCO Guyana INC. and NEW GPC INC shared time on the pitch.
The Guyanese members of the ‘Warriors’ team which will oppose St Lucia Kings tomorrow from 10:00 hours, shared special moments with members of Guyana’s blind cricket team, clad in their ‘Warriors’ uniform at Bourda.

Matthew Nandu, Kelvin Andreson, Renalado Ali-Mohamed, the unrelated Sinclair’s (Junior and Kevin) and Bajan Ramon Reifer who represented GCC and Guyana a few seasons ago engaged the blind cricketers, fans and GCC during an interactive session, while Kevin Sinclair signed autographs and matched skills with differently abled cricketers.

When national Blind Cricket Captain Kevin Douglas (B3) bowled Test player Kevin Sinclair he was overcome with joy and did a summersault which is how Sinclair celebrates when he takes a wicket.
The smiles on the faces of visually impaired players showed how much they enjoyed the experience.

Present were GCC president Jonathon Yearwood who welcomed the GCC players (Nandu, Ali-Mohammed and Reifer) home while Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle made a brief visit.
Ninvalle posited that the large ‘Warriors’ support in the Providence Stadium was indicative of unity of one Guyana. Ninvalle noted the government is supporting by building infrastructure all over Guyana. The DOS predicted that the Warriors would successfully defend their title on October 6.

Also speaking at yesterday’s interactive event were United Nation’s Jean Kamu and BI former West Indies pacer Ganesh Singh.

“This collaboration seeks to leverage cricket and the ongoing Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Cricket Tournament 2024 to promote disability inclusion. It brings together cricket, community, and a commitment to leaving no one behind,” explained Singh
“This programme is the ensure that the inclusion of disability sports is on the forefront. There is not a better start than to have the Amazon Warriors on board and partnering with us in this process.” Said the Programme Manager, Guyana Council of Organisations for People With Wisabilities
“It feels surreal… yes these are Guyanese players but after seeing them on Television or hearing about them in the media… getting to meet them in person would have been inspiring to especially those who are now starting to play blind cricket.

We cannot play conventional cricket, but this is an inspiration to who want play for West Indies in blind cricket. So, this is significant,” explained the Blind Cricket Player Development Coordinator Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GBCA).

“Exxon Mobil is doing a lot in funding our orientation of mobility programme. They fund our stereometrics programme for children with disabilities. They are supporting two programmes being implemented by the Guyana Council of Organisation for Persons With Disabilities.
“Acquisition of skills by persons who are blind and that includes blind cricketers and blind cricket in one of those actives which we promote in our orientation of mobility programme.

“It’s difficult getting girls in school to play blind cricket which is a full contact sport and were people can run into each other. But is more difficult to get older people who have lost their sight as adults to make that transition,” informed Singh who is the Chairman, National Commission on Disability