“The Game of Cricket is perhaps undeniably, the only sport that exemplifies and promotes unity in every region in which it is played.“It is therefore no mystery why cricket continues to be the number one sport. Our country has produced some of the most recognised cricketers in the traditional formats of the game and continues to mold the younger generation.”
Those were the words of Dexter ‘Bushman’ Garnett, Chairman of a group of cricket enthusiasts, who on Saturday July 5, from 18:00hrs at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) ground will be organising a special T20 clash under the theme ‘Cricket for Unity’.
“The event will feature two teams consisting of a selection of leaders and prominent personalities from all strata of our society including the Government, Private Sector, Civil Society and the Entertainment Industry,” said Garnett at a media briefing held on the upper pavilion of the venue for next month’s clash, yesterday.
Also present were Daren Torrington and Garvin Nedd of DCC, and Uzzi Yisrael, who along with Franklyn Wilson, comprise the Organising Committee for the upcoming encounter which will have as one of its participants, His Excellency President Donald Ramotar.
According to Garnett, the primary objective of the event is to promote national unity, co-operation and tolerance among our people, while providing clean fun and entertainment within a family friendly atmosphere.
“We believe that such a demonstration by our leaders will have a positive impact on the patrons and by extension the entire nation. We have sent out letters to many prominent persons in our society and have been receiving very good responses so far for this game which we know would be a big hit.
We also expect lovers and supporters of the game to come out in their numbers to see persons who they perhaps never knew had the ability and talent to play this beautiful game, compete,” stated Garnett.
Apart from President Ramotar, some other prominent personalities who are expected to be part of the two teams that will be competing under the names Roraima Strikers and Kaieteur Thunder are, Commander of ‘A’ Division Guyana Police Force Clifton Hicken and Speaker of the National Assembly Raphael Trotman.
Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, Permanent Secretary Alfred King, his deputy Steve Ninvalle, Gordon Moseley, Attorney-at-Law James Bond, Kerwin Bollers, brothers Mark and Roger Harper, Sheik Mohammed and Rabindranauth Seeram, will also be on show.
They will be rubbing shoulders with players in the caliber of Christopher Barnwell, Reon King, Colin Stuart, Kemo Paul, Jermaine Neblett and West Indies Under-19 trio in Shimron Hetmyer, Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Gudakesh Motie-Kanhai, among others.
Live commentary for the action, which will be played under lights and have at stake trophies and medallions up for grabs, will be provided, while drinks and food will also be on sale. More on the match will be forthcoming.
Written By Calvin Roberts