By Elroy Stephney

THE spotlight has always been reserved for the coastland where most of the facilities and recreational activities are being managed.
This has resulted in the systematic and continuous isolation of sports in the districts of the Upper and Lower Pomeroon River.

It is indeed quite difficult to traverse the rough terrain of the plantation fields, some of which have been developed into playgrounds.
Notwithstanding, maintaining them – from flooding and weeds – remains a monumental task and in the process has stymied the development of sports in those areas.
There are very few established youth organisations within the Pomeroon area that are engaged in community enhancement to facilitate the promotion of sports or to provide an opportunity for the youths to exhibit their potential.

The Jacklow Youth Organisation, however, is an exception. Currently the multi-faceted group has in excess of sixty members whose main objective is to promote youth empowerment through sports, training and education.
The members seek to foster community partnerships, establish institutional networks, care for the elderly and engage in economic ventures that will aid in sustaining their existence and progression.
The group was formed in 2012 with Mr Reyaz Roopnarine serving as its current president. Members are involved in several sporting disciplines, including football, cricket, volleyball and circle tennis.

Only recently the team participated in a volleyball tournament involving teams from other villages. Additionally a coach from the coastland was recruited to further train and enhance their skills in the sport.
They also boast of having quite a formidable cricket team which is being captained by Sherman Austin, who is also a founding member of the thriving organisation.
Austin would have also represented the Pomeroon Cricket Committee in many tournaments and remains one of the more talented cricketers to have emerged from the Lower Pomeroon River.

Given his exposure and an enduring passion to strategically serve the community with pride and commitment, the Jacklow Youth Organisation is beginning to rise above the mighty Pomeroon River and excel despite its limited resources.
Significantly, the group sought and obtained financial and technical assistance from the Youth Empowerment Initiative to erect a pavilion and improve the physical condition of the ground.
This has led to more activities being organised and it has sought to stimulate the interest of the youths, who can now be seen playing there on a daily basis. The organisation is also proud to promote literacy among its members and the community by conducting formal programmes.

Members are also frequently engaging the community by volunteering to selflessly serve the elderly during special occasions, such as at Christmas or Easter. Such undertakings have brought tremendous delight to the community and have created a sense of responsibility and satisfaction.
The organisation now intends to attract more youths to participate socially, culturally and through sports to organise more regular competitions and travel to other villages as well as the coastland to compete with other clubs.
There is no shortage of talent there, according to Austin and while the River may need a bridge for them to cross, the Jacklow Youth Organisation is moving in different ways and gaining positive results through sports.