The National Milling Company of Guyana Inc (Namilco) continues to have a positive impact on activities of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC), and is set to sponsor a massive secondary schools coaching programme being undertaken by the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB).
When Namilco assumed the role of official sponsor of the RHTY&SC men’s First Division team in November 2019, it was that company’s first major investment in cricket at the local level. Over the years, the company was known primarily for making major investments in football and cycling under the leadership of Bert Sukhai, a passionate believer in the transformational power of sports.
RHTY&SC Namilco Thunderbolt First Division Team
NAMILCO was a part sponsor of the RHTY&SC for a while, having sponsored the Annual Awards Ceremony; annual youth magazine; Christmas Village, and Say Yes to Education campaign, among other programmes. The RHTY&SC and its cricket teams also successfully hosted a Day of Sports at the Albion Community Centre as part of the company’s 50th anniversary celebrations in May 2019.
The club and company formally cemented the official relationship later that year, and in November 2019, NAMILCO replaced Gizmos and Gadgets as the sponsor of the RHTY&SC Under-21 and First Division teams.
Over the last three years, these teams have won all tournaments organised by the Berbice Cricket Board, including the Busta Champion of Champions, Ivan Madray 20/20, Pepsi 40 overs, Carib Beer 50 Overs, and Elizabeth Styles Under 21.
Moreover, the team has produced Kevin Sinclair, who has been named to the West Indies 20/20 team and recently to the regional team for the upcoming One-Day International series against New Zealand.
Kevlon Anderson has also successfully represented the West Indies at the Under-19 World Cup, in where he was one of the leading batsmen.
Clinton Pestano and Kevin Sinclair have also represented the Amazon Warriors in the past, while the exciting Junior Sinclair would do so in the 2022 edition, being the fourth RHTY&SC member to do so.
At the senior level, Pestano and Kevin Sinclair have played for Guyana in the recently concluded Four-Day tournament. Anderson, who is rated among the most promising young batsmen in the Caribbean, was selected by Cricket West Indies to be part of the historic West Indies Emerging Players Academy.
Female players Shemaine Campbelle, Shakiba Gajnabi and Sheneeta Grimmond have all played for the West Indies at the international level, with Campbelle scoring two fifties in the 2022 Female World Cup.
A total of nineteen RHTY&SC members have represented the country at different levels in 2022, or gained selection to regional teams. Jonathan Rampersaud, Jermey Sandia and Mahendra Gopilall are with the national under-19 team in St Vincent, while Sohail Mohamed and Razam Koobir are in the national under-15 team. A broken hand prevented Matthew Pottaya from being in the national under-17 team.
With the support of Namilco and several other sponsors, the two teams also hosted the largest ever cricket academy in Guyana. A record 145 young people were in attendance, and they have established the first-ever Kiddies Cricket Academy with dozens of kids between the ages of eight and twelve years.
The two Namilco teams under sponsorship have been involved in hundreds of personal developmental programmes over the last three years. These programmes have been held under a wide range of sub-headings, including charity, health, youth development, education, public security, coaching, awards and community development.
Among the numerous programmes hosted were the popular annual Christmas Village, Christmas Charity Programme, Covid Hampers Project, Medical Outreach, Youth Information Booklet, Covid posters and leaflets, senior citizens’ breakfast programme, Tribute to Teachers, Tribute to Medical Workers, Tribute to Law Enforcement Officers, installment of solar lights across the township, upgrading of the Area Ground, Republic Bank Grade Six Summer Camp, and hosting of the Basil Butcher Trust Fund.
In their biggest project ever, the Namilco teams spearheaded the construction of three homes for families over the last twelve months. Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster hailed the positive effect that Namilco has had on the two teams, and described the company as a true friend of the club, which happens to be the only youth and sports club in Guyana to have ever received a national award from the Government.
He has said that the company is a prime example of how the Private Sector can make a positive difference in the lives of youths: by being good corporate citizens, and by their commitment to corporate social responsibility and their customer base.
He disclosed that the company would very shortly be renewing its sponsorship for 2022/2023, and would also be handing over a total of 32 new pairs of first division coloured uniforms for the upcoming season.
Namilco’s Managing Director Bert Sukhai has expressed satisfaction with the company’s return on its investment over the years, and noted that the Namilco Thunderbolt Under-21 first division teams have represented his company’s brand with pride, honour, discipline and passion, and that Namilco is very proud to be associated with them.
He urged members of the Private Sector to support ventures like these across the country, as they serve to make a positive difference in “the lives of our young people”.
