FRANCIS Gurahoo, a 14-year-old all-rounder from Hague, West Coast, Demerara, recently benefitted from “Project Cricket Gear,” the joint initiative of Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana in the form of one cricket bat.

The Uitvlugt Secondary School third former has his eyes set on joining city-based Everest Cricket Club for the 2023 season.
At a simple ceremony held recently, young Gurahoo expressed thanks to the initiative. “I am so madly in love with this game of cricket and will try my utmost best to reach the highest level”, he added. The project is happy to be part of the development of young and talented cricketers in Guyana.

Total cricket-related items collected so far: $290,000 in cash, two trophies, 12 cricket boots, 20 pairs of batting pads, 25 bats, 17 pairs of batting gloves, 20 thigh pads, one pair of wicket-keeping pad, three arm guards, two boxes, six cricket bags and three helmets. In addition to the above, $600,000 worth in gear was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former National wicket-keeper/batsman.

To date, 48 young players from all three counties of Guyana have already benefitted from three junior gear bags, two trophies, three arm guards, 19 bats, two boxes, three helmets, 16 pairs of cricket shoes, 10 pairs of batting pads, one thigh pad, one bat rubber and 15 pairs of batting gloves.

In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area were recipient of two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each while RHCCCC collected two boxes, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves and a set of stumps and bails. The Essequibo Cricket Board and the town of Lethem also benefitted.

Cricket-related items, used or new, is 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 same. Progressive and well managed clubs with youth programmes will also benefit.