Ministry of Natural Resources takes lead in contribution to Young Warriors Cricket Club restoration funds project
The once vibrant Young Warriors Cricket Club of Cumberland, East Canje, Berbice recently started an aggressive drive to restore the club and its venue to their former glory. Letters of request and phone calls were made to several businesses, private individuals and Government Ministries.
Honorable Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat right, handing over the cheque to Aubrey David, Vice President of YWCC, in the presence of REO Region 6, Narindra Persaud, Suresh Dhanai, and a representative of the Ministry
Imran Saccoor, President of YWCC reached out to Honorable Minister Vickram Bharrat, Ministry of Natural Resources, who readily agreed to help; and, on a recent visit to Berbice, presented a cheque for $250,000 to members of the club. Minister Bharrat, himself a Berbician, has said he is elated to be part of the restoration of the ground, knowing that the club has produced so many outstanding cricketers, including Shimron Hetmyer, over the years.
He said he is happy to know that the club’s executives are making an effort to fix the issues, and he pledged his continued support for the club, while calling on former players to also contribute.
Saccoor, in reply, thanked the Honorable Minister, while he laid out the plans and projects to be undertaken. The first phase would involve fixing the fence, which is estimated to cost about $750,000. That would be followed by the outfield and then the pavilions, he added.
Saccoor has promised that all funds received would be accounted for, and he said the club is planning fundraisers to help cover the cost of the restoration.
Six years ago, the venue was in picture perfect condition. Unfortunately, it has since deteriorated over the years. Saccoor, continues to appeal to the GOG, Corporate Guyana, and private individuals for assistance. He said the first step is to replace the fence, fix the outfield and fix the pavilions, and then move aggressively to recruit new players.
The YWCC has produced many outstanding players during the 25 years of its existence, with the latest being West Indies batting star Shimron Hetmyer. Other players who represented Berbice, Guyana and the West Indies at different levels are: Gajanand Singh, who now plays for the USA; Richard Ramdeen, former National Captain Damodar Daesrat; Seon Hetmyer, Paul Wintz, Kwesi Maltay, Balram Samaroo, Alex Algoo, Kevin Ramdeen, Loaknauth Ramsuchit, Kassim Khan, Linden Austin, Sanjay Khan, Shazad Khan, Ishwar Singh, Aaron Beharry, Anil Beharry, Suresh Dhanai, Farouk Hussain and Daryl Narine, among many others.
The YWCC won the first and only Shapoorji Palonji National T20 competition ever played by defeating Blairmont CC; and the Neal and Massy National 40 Overs Competition by defeating the powerful Demerara Cricket Club in the final at the Guyana National Stadium, among other championship titles. The club won the GCB Club of the Year title for two consecutive years.
Members of the current executive body are seeking help in cash and kind to restore the venue. Contact can be made with Imran Saccoor; Aubrey David on 646- 0294; Suresh Dhanai on 685- 3101; or any executive member of the club.
