Akeem Kanhai and Richard Mohandatt are unarguably two of the country’s most promising basketball players and yesterday the pair said that their ultimate gold is to have their dream realized overseas and as such, are calling on the relevant authorities for assistance.
Mohandatt, 17, recently completed his studies at President’s College where he gained passes in all nine subjects written at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CXC) with grade one passes in Math, Woodwork, Social Studies, Information Technology (IT), Physical Education and Integrated Science.
He also had grade two passes in Technical Drawing, English A and Physics. At the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) Mohandatt gained a grade six in Math one and grade four in Physics and Caribbean Studies.
Next up for the Berbician is the University of Guyana where he would be studying for a degree in Civil Engineering.
However, he says attending a university or a college overseas remains a top priority, but this can’t be done without a solid commitment from the Government of Guyana.
“Well honestly it’s strange that we hear about players from other sports getting a chance to realize their dreams, you hear about athletics and table tennis and so on, but for the longest while, nothing has been heard of about basketball, so I think maybe the government and those in charge need to help us” Mohandatt said.
He went on to state: “I don’t think that all this talent should go down the drain, I mean it’s not just me and Akeem (Kanhai) but there are plenty others out there who are hiding because they feel it’s a waste of time and lack exposure, so I think something should definitely happen”.
Kanhai on the other hand is said to be in a league of his own – wooing crowds wherever he plays with his on-point game and technique and he, too, believes that the people in charge should not let their talent go to waste.
“Well I want to elevate myself right now in the sport, I’m not saying that I’m the best, but I want to get out you know, I would like to have a scholarship. I think too that it would encourage others to play the sport you know, so they really should do something” said the soft-spoken Kanhai.
The 18-year-old Kanhai recently finished studying at the Mackenzie High school (MHS) in Linden, excelling at CXC with grade one passes in Agricultural Science, Office Administration and Integrated Science and grade two passes in Math, English A, Geography and Accounts.
In CAPE one, Akeem has a grade two, two grade threes and a grade four and in CAPE two, a grade four and five.
“Right now I’m looking for a job; well really I want to apply at the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission because I honestly believe that I can still get a scholarship you know”, the Lindener said.
Meanwhile for Mohandatt, being mentioned as one of the top junior point guards in Guyana is an accomplishment by itself. The 17-year-old said he was brought into the sport by watching ‘And-1’ and was thought the basics of the game by Berbician Kurt Fraser.
The player said that questions about him being Indian-Guyanese and playing basketball always come up wherever he goes but it does not dissuade him from playing the sport.
“I think sports has no culture at all, you could play whichever sport you want, most Indian people indeed have a love for cricket but me my heart is in basketball, the Indian thing is not a factor, I kind of like it, people give me a lot of respect, they look at the game not my ethnicity and no discrimination so it’s good for me, they call me ‘Coolie Jordan’ and I like that”, Mohandatt stated.
Asked who he thinks is the best junior baller in Guyana, Mohandatt said: “Akeem Kanhai of course, if any youngster wants someone to pattern after, they should look at Akeem, I mean I’m not playing down myself, but I think he has the total package to go all the way, he is intelligent, skillful and I like playing with him, you know, the way he visualizes the game on and off the court it is amazing to me, so I think if there is anybody worthy of a scholarship right now it would be Akeem.
Both Mohandatt and Kanhai would be leading Guyana’s charges at the Inter-Guiana Games next month in Suriname.