… Players received $64 000 in gear
AMIDST all the controversy surrounding cricket in the Land of Many Waters today, the sport in the Ancient County of Berbice continues to be alive with the launching of the second annual Junior Ambassador Cricket Programme (JACP) yesterday. At a simple ceremony held in their conference room, sponsor Grace Kennedy Remittance Service Guyana Limited (GKRS) honoured its commitment made to the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTYSC) one year ago, when a representative presented the four players with gear worth $64 000 each.
Prior to the presentation of the sponsorship, Secretary and CEO of RHTYSC Hilbert Foster extended profound gratitude to Western Union, a subsidiary of GKRS, for its sponsorship of the programme.
“The last couple of weeks and months have not been the best for cricket in the West Indies, with defeat after defeat, while at the local level, events off the field have surpassed those on the field and the entire situation has a sad feeling of total doom. And while the entire Caribbean is at a breaking point, Guyana’s cricket and its administration have become nothing more than a laughing stock and a sick, dying comedy show that has gone on for too long.
“While the situation in Demerara and Essequibo was one in disarray and lacking vision, cricket in the Ancient County of Berbice was alive and at an all-time high. In fact there is a revolution that is taking place in Berbice’s cricket, with over 150 projects and programmes being executed over the last three years, which testifies to the passion, honesty, commitment and discipline absent for so long, returning” stated Foster.
Three young cricketers namely Shawn Pereira, Lloyden Lewis and Linden Austin were the original beneficiaries of the GKRS/JACP last year, and this year national Under-15 left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai became the addition to the three, as Western Union looks to add a youth player each year.
Foster added that while Motie-Kanhai and Austin are not members of RHTYSC, the most vibrant youth and sports club in Guyana has shown it is not concerned about itself alone, but rather prefers every young cricketer in Berbice to develop.
“Both Pereira and Lewis who are currently in training with the national Under-19 team, are products of a multi-million-dollar investment by RHTYSC, who always seek to develop new talents for the future and are also two of several dozen new and existing cricketers in the club.
Motie-Kanhai plays for Albion while Austin is a product of Young Warriors and this year, Pereira displayed his leadership quality that was being honed and nurtured by the RHTYSC, when he was asked to lead the national Under-15 team to Trinidad and Tobago for the West Indies Under-15 tournament.
“Western Union is very special to the RHTYSC, as they have been a close and reliable supporter of our activities over the years and apart from this sponsorship for our JACP, they have already co-sponsored our annual awards ceremony and would in September, sponsor our 20th Awards ceremony,” Foster said.
He continued, “We wish to reassure them that the RHTYSC views its position as Guyana’s leading youth and sports club very seriously and we would continue to work harder to make a positive difference in the lives of our youths, elderly and less fortunate.”
He challenged the four awardees to strive for excellence in everything they do and at the same time, remain disciplined at all times, stating that Western Union and the RHTYSC have made it possible for them to have the necessary equipment and urged them to repay the confidence shown by lifting their standards to a higher level.
Marketing manager of GKRS, Natheeah King, said it was a privilege for her company which has its head office in the United States of America (USA) and a regional office in Jamaica, to be honouring a commitment that was made last April.
“We made a commitment to support four young cricketers from the RHTYSC throughout their youth career from Under-15 to Under-19. Our interest in this venture is to enhance their performance by providing them with sporting gear and educational assistance which we know will be beneficial in the long term,” stated King.
“Cricket as a discipline has been realising the dreams of many young people in our country and as such, we at Western Union would like to contribute to the dreams of these young cricketers … when they become famous in the sport we would be proud to say that we have contributed to their successes in making their dreams possible, because with Western Union, anything is possible.”
Like Foster before her, King charged the four recipients to always keep an open mind and compassionate heart as they go forward. She advised them to approach the game with no preset agendas and they will be surprised at the results of their overall efforts.
“A famous writer once said, ‘As you walk down the fairway of life, you must smell the roses along the way since opportunities don’t present themselves very often’. I urge you to grab, hold, use, breathe and enjoy the opportunities that will come your way and say ‘yes’.” said King.
Lewis moved the vote of thanks on behalf of his fellow awardees, vowing to make the best use of this gesture and at the same time make not only RHTYSC but Western Union proud to be associated with them.
Among the gear the four received were a bat, a pair of batting gloves and pads, helmet and one gear bag valued $64 000, along with an educational and hygienic kit valued $10 000 each.