Sinclair, Smith give back to alma mater Canje Secondary
It was a trip back in time on Friday for Guyana, West Indies and Amazon Warriors’ all-rounder Kevin Sinclair and Guyana Harpy Eagles pacer Nial Smith, who took some time out of their busy schedules to ‘pay it forward’ to their alma mater, Canje Secondary, at Cumberland, East Canje Berbice.
These two outstanding local cricketers have presented a quantity of cricket gear to the Canje Secondary School.
Sinclair, who developed a passion for the sport by playing in the school compound on a daily basis, felt it was important that they support the dreams of students at the institution similar to how they had received a helping hand years ago.
The 24-year-old Sinclair said a student of Canje Secondary, 16-year-old fast bowler Jearmin Singh, reached out to him for assistance to secure a pair of cricket sneakers, and that prompted him and Smith to add a few more items so that other students could benefit.
Kevin Sinclair presented a pair of cricket shoes to 16-year-old fast bowler Jearmin Singh
In presenting the footwear to Singh, Sinclair said it brought back memories of the days when he was in need of gear to pursue his passion.
Singh, a Form Five student of Canje Secondary, who started playing hardball cricket five months ago, is a member of the Rose Hall Community Centre Club.
Among the items presented to the school are balls, a cricket bat, a full set of stumps, batting gloves and pads, protective guard, and a helmet.
“It’s a pleasure to come back to Canje Secondary and make this little donation,” Sinclair, who recently played for Guyana Amazon Warriors in CPL 2024, told the gathering of students. “I hope you use this equipment to get better at the game; but also remember your academics is important.”
A look at some of the equipment presented, and at students who stand to benefit
Reflecting on his time at the school, Sinclair, who made 50 on Test debut for West Indies against Australia in January, told the students of honing his skill in the school compound, and later refining it by joining structured clubs like Young Warriors and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club.
He told the students that, once they have a dream, they should pursue it, but they must be prepared to work hard and be determined in their approach.
It is equally important, he reiterated, that they apply those same principles in their academic pursuits.
Kevin Sinclair and Niall Smith paid it forward at their alma mater Canje Secondary
Sinclair also played a motivational video coach Floyd Reifer had them watch during the West Indies Emerging Team title run in the Cricket West Indies’ Super50 Cup in 2019.
Sinclair played a crucial role in that success, scoring 132 runs and taking 13 wickets with his off-spin. He also had the tournament’s best economy rate of 2.87 runs per over.
The brief ceremony wrapped up with Sinclair presenting one of his signed Test match shirts to a young female student who was successful in answering a question.
