THE Cricket West Indies Masters Association (CWIMA) distributed 80 cricket bags to 20 schools across East Berbice during an outreach at the Albion Community Centre, giving young players access to equipment and guidance from members of the West Indies Masters team.
The equipment distributed included bats, batting gloves, batting pads, wicketkeeping pads, wicketkeeping gloves and boxes of balls. The initiative forms part of CWIMA’s effort to take cricket to young people across Guyana.
Albion hosted the second outreach of the programme, following an earlier distribution and engagement at the Lusignan Community Centre on the East Coast of Demerara. A third outreach is scheduled for October 23 at the Anna Regina National Stadium in Essequibo.
During the Berbice visit, school children participated in short drills with members of the West Indies Masters. Former West Indies and Guyana spinner Devendra Bishoo and West Indies Masters captain Denesh Ramdin, who also previously captained the West Indies, offered encouragement and guidance.
Both players encouraged the children to enjoy their childhood, believe in themselves and refuse to allow others to discourage them from pursuing their goals.
The visit also allowed the West Indies Masters players to practise and become familiar with conditions at Albion, one of 12 venues earmarked for the upcoming IMC Over-40s Masters World Cup.
The tournament begins on October 17, with West Indies facing Australia in the opening match at the National Stadium, Providence. The final is scheduled for October 31 at the same venue.