Opener Ravid Fredricks and all-rounder Usain Fredericks, two unrelated, outstanding Under-13 batsmen from the Cinderella County of Essequibo, were the latest to benefit from the joint initiative between Kishan Das of the USA and Anil Beharry of Guyana to equip cricketers.
Beharry was fortunate to witness the players’ innings in the final match of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Inter-County Under-13 tournament played at the LBI facility where both players scored a half-century to lead their team to victory and championship honours. Their innings were full of maturity beyond their age. Usain is from Moruca, Region One and attends Waramuri Primary School while Ravid is from Pomona and attends Abram Zuil Secondary School. They received cash incentives to assist in purchasing cricket gear they need.
At a simple presentation just after the game, the young stars thanked the project and promised to continue to work hard on their game. The organisers are happy to be part of their development and will continue to assist young people and develop cricket.
Anil Beharry (middle) posing with the Under-13 cricketers
Total items received/purchased so far under Project Cricket Gear for young and promising cricketers in Guyana: $460,000 in cash, thirteen coloured cricket uniforms, one set of stumps and bails, two trophies, twenty-seven pairs of cricket shoes, thirty-three pairs of batting pads, thirty-five cricket bats, one floppy hat, thirty-two pairs of batting gloves, twenty-five thigh pads, three pairs of wicketkeeping pads, six arm guards, two chest pads, two boxes, twelve cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one fibreglass bat, thirteen boxes of white cricket balls, three boxes of red balls and twenty-eight footballs. In addition to the above, gear worth more than $600,000 was donated by Sheik Mohamed, former national wicketkeeper/batsman. All cash collected is being used to purchase cricket gear requested that was not available at the time.
To date, eighty-six young players, male and female, from all three counties of Guyana have benefited directly from cash, seven gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, thirty-three bats, three boxes, six helmets, thirty-one pairs of cricket shoes, twenty pairs of batting pads, twenty-four thigh pads, one bat grip, thirty-four pairs of batting gloves, one pair of wicketkeeping pads and three pairs of wicketkeeping gloves. Many others benefited indirectly. In addition, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. The Pomeroon, Leguan and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, Cold Fusion Cricket Club received thirteen coloured uniforms while RHCCCC received six boxes of balls, fifteen white cricket shirts, one pair of junior batting pads, one pair of wicketkeeping gloves, two sets of stumps and bails. Other beneficiaries are the Essequibo Cricket Board; the town of Lethem; youth coach Travis Persaud (one box of red cricket balls); male and female teams playing the traditional hardball and softball in the Upper Corentyne area; No 65 Young Titans (30 T-Shirts); youths of Just Try Cricket Club; Wakenaam Cricket Academy (one box of white balls); Shamar Joseph; Nehemiah Hohenkirk; Shamar Apple; Leguan Cricket Committee; Tucber Park Cricket Club and Malteenoes Sports Club (nine cricket balls each).
Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of cost to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country and club leaders also assist to identify same. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with youth programmes will also benefit.
