KFC, GCC collaborate for ‘Mini Zingers’ cricket initiative

Cognizant of the need to introduce the sport to prospective players at a younger age, and hoping to fill the gaps that may linger in the primary school cricket system, the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) has teamed up with fast food giants KFC to kickstart the Mini Zingers Cricket Programme.
The initiative will see players as young as five years old being able to attend sessions at the Club’s venue on Regent Road, Bourda on Saturdays, where they would be introduced to, and trained in, the sport from some of the best coaches on offer.
During the official launch of this programme, on Wednesday morning at the Club’s venue, President Jonathan Yearwood spoke of his vision for the initiative, which has been one of his longtime goals, and of some of the circumstances which fuel it.

“This has been a dream of mine for many years, and when I was elected President of the Georgetown Cricket Club, I went about looking for sponsorship to see how best we can get this programme started. This programme is designed for young children, primary school children between the age of 5 (and) 12. This is where we teach them the basics of cricket,” he explained.
“We in Guyana have a history of producing world-class cricketers over many, many years, and recently there has been little or no cricket for young children,” Yearwood informed, as he
elucidated, “Sports, as we all know, is lacking very much in primary schools, even secondary schools; so, we’re going to try to help those who would like to get involved in some sport or the other to come here to GCC every Saturday morning and we will teach you the basics of cricket.”
The KFC Director of Marketing, Sadia Strand, in articulating the company’s support for the necessary initiative, which she foresees continuing for many years, has said, “This is something that we’re hoping will run for 1, 2 to 20 years; so, know that you have KFC’s support. This is a really important programme for children, because, as said, there’s not a lot out there for primary school children to engage with on Saturdays. The talent that comes out of Guyana is absolutely incredible.”
GCC Head Coach Peter Persaud, one of the coaches who would be spearheading the ‘Mini Zingers’ programme, expressed his commitment to the initiative and reassured, “We’re a prestigious club at GCC here, and we’re always willing to go ahead with what we can do for cricket; and I’m very proud to be the Head Coach here. I have an assistant Coach in Martin Pestano Belle, a good relationship with our cricket captain, and I would like to say this is going to kick off really big. We are going to work hard to get these kids involved in cricket, and make it a success.”
Registration forms for the ‘Mini Zingers’ programme can be picked up at GCC with a $5000 fee attached per month. Additionally, GCC has advised parents registering their children that potty-training is a requirement before registering their younger children. The programme is open to both boys and girls.