Family is my best partnership – Keemo

The old saying, ‘The family that prays together, stays together’ is true in the case for Guyana Amazon Warriors’ all-rounder Keemo Paul who revealed that without sacrifice, prayers and love his dreams of being an international cricketer would not have been possible.
Born in the small riverine village of Saxacalli in the Essequibo river, the naturally talented right hander said there were tough days in his early days as a cricketer but the sacrifices of his family ensured that he was in the right place at the right time.
“When I got my first complete cricket kit it was my brother who was working in the interior that bought it since my dad was making just enough money to provide the basics for our family,” Keemo confessed.
The 21 year-old who has featured in 13 matches for the Amazon Warriors since his debut in 2017 further stated that his mother kept him and the rest of the family grounded with prayers and motivational speeches that still resonate with him even if he is halfway round the world.
While journeying to Georgetown to play cricket was not always easy financially for the Pauls, Keemo was still able to follow his passion largely due to the dedication of his father. “Dad was always there for me, he left work sometimes to come watch me play every game in Guyana sometimes with no money [and] when we got lunch I would eat half and take the other half for him in the stands. We are really close. My family is my rock, my pillar of strength,” Keemo expressed.
The Essequibian has since come a long way and to date has played 31 matches for the West Indies comprising three Tests, 12 One Day Internationals and 20 T20 Internationals and is one of few West Indians with a contract for all formats. His white ball credentials recently earned him the prestigious Cricket West Indies T20I player of the year for his outstanding achievements in 2018 where he picked up a West Indian record of 5/15 against Bangladesh in Dhaka.
His efforts did not go unnoticed and was snapped up by the Dehli Capitals in the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League where he turned out in eight matches and bagged eight wickets with best figures of 3/17. His skills in his debut season will no doubt guarantee a lengthy stay in India where he also loves.
With the Guyana Amazon Warriors beginning their 2019 CPL campaign at home with three matches at Providence; fans, friends and especially family will come out in their large numbers for the usual support for Paul and the rest of the team in their quest for a maiden title.
And like the international recording soca artistes; Machel Montano, Skinny Fabulous and Bunji Garlin sang, “I moving everywhere with ma famalay” we want to see you and your family jumping for the Guyana Amazon Warriors at Providence.