Ansa McAl CEO Beverly Harper said she was confident that the Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTY&SC) will continue to prosper when she was inducted as its patron at a ceremony held at the company’s headquarters at Beterverwagting, East Coast Demerara.
Harper became the fourth patron of the organisation, replacing June Mendes of Farfan and Mendes. She said she was heartened by the work the club has done and was doubly pleased to be associated with the organisation since it has become a shining light in what can be considered Guyana’s darkest days of cricket administration. According to Harper, the club’s dynamism has been noted, not only in promoting cricket but in honouring teachers and other persons who contributed to developing Berbice and in community service. She also said she was confident that after 21 years of existence it would continue to realise the vision and goals set by the executive, including club president Hilbert Foster.
She then extended condolences to the family and friends of Guyanese international umpire Clyde Duncan, who passed away on Wednesday morning in a Trinidad hospital.She remembered Duncan as a gentleman who was fair in his dealings both on and off the field.
In his address, Foster said the club is now a household name in Guyana and further afield and continues to be unmatched by any other institution of similar nature in Guyana.
He also said it has enriched the lives of many of the country’s youths and helped steer them away from the ills of society. “The Club has touched and changed the lives of thousands of people and would continue to do so in the future.
The product that is the RHTYSC has been successful because we have used a simple formula over and over – sheer hard work, honesty, faith in the God we serve, dedication, team unity and a strong belief in the work we do. We have also been blessed with a strong leadership team who leads by example,” the president said. He noted too that the club has been blessed to have three other “outstanding Guyanese” serve in that honorary position, labelling them “perfect role models” to the club’s membership. In early 1991 the late President Desmond Hoyte was inducted as the first patron, followed by Mr. Peter Ramsaroop before Mendes was installed.
“The position of Patron of the RHTYSC is a honorary one where the person serves as a role model to our members and also as an advisor to any club member who may have stray[ed] away. The Patron is also expected to assist the elected executive to maintain a positive public image of the club and attend major activities like the annual awards ceremony,” Foster explained.
He also expressed confidence in Harper’s ability to execute her role, adding that he was looking forward to working with her during her 2011 to 2016 term.
Foster also announced that the Ansa McAl Group of Companies will be sponsoring a one-day 20/20 tournament involving the RHTYSC and two other clubs in Guyana. The sponsorship amounts to $250,000 and the matches will be scheduled when the weather improves in Berbice.
