Youth Enhancement 10/10 Cricket set for today 

ꟷ 8 teams to battle

The fourth edition of the Youth Enhancement 10/10 Cricket tournament is set for staging today at the Number 56 Village Community Centre Ground on the Corentyne Coast in East Berbice. 
Organiser Gobin Harbhajan, the Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) Prime Minister’s Regional Representative and a Regional Councillor, says the Youth Enhancement initiative has been a success since its inaugural staging in May of this year. He explained that businesspersons and other individuals throughout the East Berbice/Corentyne Region have been approaching him to contribute or collaborate in his drive to help youths and adults.
This tournament seeks to get persons involved in sports at a competitive level, and to ensure that persons are engaged in constructive activities in preparing for competitions.
The first edition was staged in May, the second in August, and the third in November.
Eight teams will be competing in this 10/10 softball cricket competition. They are Grill Master, May Flower, Unstoppable, Turbo United, Number 55 Village, Number 57 Village, Number 58 Village, Number 59 Village and Crabwood Creek.
At stake are both cash and trophies for the top four teams. Grill Master are the defending champions.
Harbhajan says he was asked to have this tournament at this time of the year since organisers have not, at this time of the year, been forthcoming with other traditional sporting events on the Corentyne.
“People look forward to things that they can actually participate in. I have always been open to any assistance. It’s not about one community, I would be happy to see other individuals in other communities follow my footsteps and be leaders.
“What I found over the years is that we have too many people complaining. I believe that if one can use their energy to criticize, they can turn their negative into positive and become a role model. One such family who reached out to join me in this tournament is Mr and Mrs Lalsaran and Family (Shirley’s Supermarket), who took their time to assist me in organizing this event.”
Some of the other sponsors on board are Shamie Rampersaud of USA, Mr and Mrs Bancedar (Videsh of Canada), Kamlawattie Jaipersaud of Canada, Nand Persaud and
Company, among others.
Harbhajan says he has noticed that the figures as they relate to suicide on the Corentyne are relatively high. He is of the view that many persons have idle time on their hands.
“They need to get themselves involved in activities other than alcohol-drinking and illegal drugs’ use. Making a start and taking the lead will help the youths to use their spare time to do something constructive,” he said.
“My objective is, as the Prime Minister Rep and Regional Counsellor, to do something about the situation, because too many youth and adults have idle time, and we have so many abandoned playgrounds all over. So, I want to invest my time into the Number 56 Village Community Ground as a start,” he explained.
He added that since the staging of the first tournament in May, several villagers have been asking for a repeat, and also the business community has contacted him, indicating their intention to support similar initiatives. “They have been encouraging me to continue with my drive, and they are willing to sponsor trophies and so on, to ensure that the idea grows and becomes successful,” Harbhajan explained.