Etwaroo continues contribution to Cricket Gear project

United States of America (USA)-based Guyanese businessman Ravi Etwaroo, proprietor of the popular sports store Cricket Zone USA Trophies and Sports Equipment Inc, has once more provided support for the “Cricket gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana”, a noble joint initiative between Anil Beharry of Guyana and Kishan Das of the USA. The store is located in the Bronx, USA, and is regarded as one of the largest cricket retail locations.

At a simple presentation done recently, project partner Anil Beharry, who was on a short visit to the USA, received from Ravi one cricket gear bag, one pair of batting pads, one pair of batting gloves and one E4 bat, all for junior cricketers.
A missive from the facilitators noted that they thanked Etwaroo for his continued support. “We take this opportunity to congratulate you and wish you well with your E4 brand that is growing rapidly around the world. This initiative is pleased to be part of the development of youth cricket,” the missive noted.
Over the years, many Guyanese cricketers benefited from this project; many of them went on to represent the West Indies at all levels.
According to the facilitators, the project will continue to improve the lives of youths in every community. “We are pleased to be part of the development of young cricketers in Guyana. Our aim is to keep them off the streets and get them actively involved in sports, cricket in particular.”
Total cricket-related items received/purchased so far: $730,000 in cash, 13 coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps, two trophies, 36-six pairs of cricket shoes, 40 pairs of batting pads, 49 cricket bats, 48 pairs of batting gloves, 29 thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, 15 gear bags, 13 bat rubbers, seven helmets, one fibreglass bat, one pair of floppy hats, 16 boxes of four white cricket balls, 13 boxes of red cricket balls, one bat cone, one batting inner and 28 footballs. In addition to the above, gear with a value of over $600,000 was donated by Sheikh Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested and not available at the time.
To date, 103 players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, 10 gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, 40 bats, four boxes, six helmets, 38 pairs of cricket shoes, 22 pairs of batting pads, 25 thigh pads, one bat grip, 41 pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and four pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Many others benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, and Cold Fusion Cricket Club received 13 coloured uniforms, while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, 15 white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicket-keeping gloves with one inner, and two sets of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are The Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls), male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area, No.65 Young Titans with 30 T-Shirts, youths of Just Try Cricket Club, Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls), Shamar Joseph, Nehemiah Hohenkirk, Shamar Apple, Leguan Cricket Committee, Tucber Park Cricket Club, Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each), Kendall’s Union cricket club (twelve red balls) Lower Corentyne, Corentyne Comprehensive and JC Chandisingh Secondary Schools (twelve red balls each), Thaddeus Lovell (one pair of cricket shoes), GCC (two boxes of white cricket balls), Bush Lot United Sports Club (one box of red balls), West Demerara Cricket Association (one box of white balls), Blairmont Cricket Club (one pair of batting pads, one cricket bat, one helmet and balls), Tagore Memorial Secondary School, St Cuthbert’s Mission cricket team (one box of balls), Port Mourant CC (three boxes of cricket balls, white cricket uniforms and one bat stick), DCB (one bat), Precision Sports (one box of balls), Berbice High School and Cotton Tree Die Hard CC youth section.
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana.