Devon Ramnauth Youth League recognises late Coach Courtney Gonsalves

Given his unwavering coaching services to Essequibo’s cricket for over two decades, the late Courtney Gonsalves was recognised by the recent inaugural Devon Ramnauth Youth League Development Under-19 Tournament with the championship trophy bearing his name.
Ramnauth, a former national youth player, on Sunday last handed over a plaque also to Gonsalves’s family, who currently resides in Canada, at a simple presentation.
According to Ramnauth, Gonsalves was indeed a household name in Guyana and his commitment to help the youths with their development is duly recognised.
Gonsalves passed away at the age of 62 in Canada in 2013, but before his migration in 2001, Gonsalves had done a tremendous job in Essequibo and, by extension, Guyana.

Gonsalves had the distinction of representing Guyana at the regional First-Class level too while his son Ian Gonsalves played for Guyana at the youth level.
“I want to take the opportunity to recognize the late Gonsalves’ contributions to Essequibo’s cricket, because I recently ran off the youth tournament and it is only fitting that Gonsalves must be remembered for his outstanding coaching job in the county; he was a well-respected coach and his love and passion for the coaching job and cricket resonated well,” Ramnauth noted.
At the presentation, Ramnauth, who has featured for Essequibo at various levels in inter-county cricket tournaments, stated that he and his family were still saddened by Gonsalves’ death and they wanted to do these tangible things to remember him in every aspect of life.
“As a youth player for Essequibo I always have the burning desire to see the continued development of cricket; at the just-concluded youth tournament, I saw a great number of talented Under-19 cricketers and this is the exposure our young talented and promising players needed and I am sure my favourite coach Gonsalves will be smiling from heaven at this initiative now,” Ramnauth commented.
Ramnauth informed that his Youth League will continue to have the championship trophy honours in the memory of Gonsalves. The next tournament is billed for August. Queenstown Under-19 emerged victorious in the first edition which comprised six teams. Ramnauth has declared there would be an increase in teams in the next edition.