Hand-in-Hand launches ‘History of Cricket in Guyana’ book
On Friday evening at the Cara Lodge Suites, the Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies officially launched the
Chairman of Hand-In-Hand Group John Carpenter (2nd from left), Minister Rupert Roopnarine and Prof. Clem Seecharram along with other officials of the Hand-In-Group
History of Cricket in Guyana, Volume One written by renowned local historian Professor Clem Seecharan.
The book spans 482 pages which covers the historical research on Guyanese and West Indian cricket culture, a period spanning the year 1865-1897.
The well attended event was graced by the presence of several dignitaries and cricket luminaries such as current and past Guyana and West Indies players including Joe Solomon, Roger and Mark Harper, Steven Jacobs, Tremayne Smartt, former Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony, former West Indies Cricket Board representative Claude Raphael and former Director of Sport Neil Kumar.
Also in attendance was, the British Ambassador to Guyana His Excellency James Quinn and guest speaker, former West Indies wicketkeeper and Vice-captain Deryck Murray and Minister of Education, Rupert Roopnarine.
Murrary during his feature address lauded the work of Seecharan for allowing many to understand the development of cricket in Guyana. Murray explained that cricket has played integral roles in the lives of the Caribbean people since the 1800’s, books such as Seecharram’s give great insight into the forgotten days of cricket and as such we should now seek to pave a better way for the future of the sport.
Murray also recognized the important contribution of renowned cricket journalist and commentator, Tony Cozier. Cozier who died on May 11 this year, had given 50 years of dedicated service as a journalist to West Indian Cricket.
Minister Roopnaraine during his address mentioned that he will be seeking an audience with President David Granger in order to honour Cozier, the fallen Barbadian cricket icon, with a National Award for his service to sport.
The honourable minister praised the efforts of everyone who contributed to the treasured publication which will allow readers to know to journey of cricket through the years.
The “History of Cricket in Guyana” is the second publication from the Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies following “Cricket at Bourda” which was launched in 2007. Both publications are on sale at the company’s head office on Avenue of the Republic, Georgetown.
