By Stephan Sookram

THE foundation of every state is the education of its youth. This is the belief of Greek Philosopher Diogenes and one that is being embraced by the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and Health Stakeholders as they embark on a partnership for diabetes awareness.

The group, which includes the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH); the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO); the World Health Organisation (WHO); the Guyana Diabetic Association and Ansa McAl through its Smalta Brand, launched an U-17 T20 competition set to begin on Tuesday.

Eight teams will take part in the tournament which features two zones: the ‘A’ zone matches commencing on Tuesday, will see the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) hosting the GNIC side while the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) side will travel to the Georgetown Cricket Club’s famous Bourda ground.

Zone ‘B’ will feature Transport Sports Club (TSC) hosting St Stanislaus College, while Gandi Youth Organisation (GYO) will travel to Everest for their game.

After three rounds of action, the top team from Zone ‘A’ will play the second best team from the ‘B’ zone and vice versa, before the finalists are decided. Bonus points will be awarded for batting and bowling marks as set out by the GCA with the tournament under the normal T20 rules.

During yesterday’s launch, Chief Medical officer (CMO) Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, speaking in place of the Minister of Public Health Dr. George Norton, said that the players must become active and healthy, adding that in the tournament, “We want you to get to those boundaries and meet to those [personal] goals.”

Meanwhile, PAHO/WHO representative Dr. William Adu-Krow said: “It provides an opportunity to focus attention on the prevention and control of diabetes as a means of reducing the number of persons affected by non-communicable diseases.”

GCA President Roger Harper wished all the participating teams well in the tournament and urged them to remember the essentials of the sport, including discipline, fair play and teamwork.

President of the Guyana Diabetic Association (GDA), Glynis Beaton-Alonzo, reminded that just like cricket, awareness and treatment of diabetes remain a team effort, as just as players depend on coaches, patients depend on doctors.

Brand representative for Smalta Angelica Rodney expressed her company’s excitement with the venture, which is aimed at raising awareness of the disease.

World Health Day will take place on April 7th and will be celebrated under the theme: “Step up, beat diabetes.” Uniforms for the various teams were also handed out at the conclusion of the Launch.