Minister of Business Dominic Gaskin Sunday at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) urged young cricketers Tevin Imlach, Kemo Paul and Kevon Boodie to give good accounts of themselves in the West Indies U19 World Cup and Nagico Super 50 tournaments.
Minister Gaskin’s visit to the club was part of the club’s traditional send-off.
The event was held in the pavilion.
During his brief speech, Minister Gaskin lauded the club for producing a number of West Indies players of all levels over their hundred years of existence.
“DCC seems to have a sturdy coaching team,” said the minister while encouraging the young cricketers to put their best performances forward for the betterment of themselves, team and the country
DCC president Alfred Mentore handed over cricket gear to the players.
Imlach received a pair of wicket keeping gloves and a small financial donation compliments of Mentore while Boodie received a new bat. Paul was not present at the ceremony but will receive his stuff upon his return.
Mentore echoed sentiments similar to the Minister’s saying, “DCC has been playing an important role over the years in Guyana Cricket.”
He singled out Imlach saying that the player had blossomed into a fantastic batsman while earmarking Boodie and Paul as future Guyana and West Indies players.
DCC club captain and Guyana Jags vice-skipper Chris Barnwell gave his younger teammates some advice. “My advice to you guys is to work hard every day because being selected is good but it’s just a start you don’t want to become complacent. Assess the conditions, produce the goods and grab the opportunity with both hands.”
Other speakers like former Guyana and West Indies Test player Travis Dowlin, representatives from the National Sports Commission and other well-wishers took some time to speak with the players as they set out on a tough journey.
The debutant Boodie, a hard-hitting opener winged out with the Guyana Jaguars 14-man team on Monday as they prepare to take on the Windward Volcanoes in the opening round today at the Warner Park Stadium, St Kitts/Nevis. He is one of three new faces in the limited overs team.
Imlach, the National U19 wicket-keeper/opening batsman and his U19 all-round teammate Paul, winged out Tuesday to join their Guyanese compatriot and West Indies U19 skipper Shimron Hetmyer in Bangladesh ahead of the 2016 U19 Youth World Cup.
All three players have been making strides in their careers as of late, thus earning their selections.
