The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) and the Guyana Diabetes Association (GDA) yesterday launched the Diabetes Association Type-1 Under-17 T20 Cricket Competition which bowls off tomorrow at the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) Ground.
GCA President Roger Harper, GDA President Glynis Beaton-Alonzo, Ministry of Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shamdeo Persaud and other representatives of the various sponsors which include the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Ansa Mcal, were present at the simple launching held at the DCC pavilion.
During her address to some of the youngsters present, Beaton-Alonzo said it was important to understand how diabetes and cricket intertwine. She said persons suffering from the disease are renowned for their discipline which allows them to lead a normal life.
“It’s not often we compare disease with sport and having diabetes doesn’t mean the game is over because just like cricket when a batsman
needs to keep on top bowlers, diabetics need to keep on top their blood sugar, that is why diabetes management is similar to cricket management,” said the GDA President.
Harper, during his speech said that he was happy to have the support of the various entities involved in the tournament, adding that the GCA was happy to be a part of diabetes awareness. The former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder also wished the respective teams the best over the next few days of competition.
Persaud echoed the similar sentiments of his fellow medical colleagues as he noted that it was important for [persons to be aware of the disease while advising those with the disease to adapt a healthier lifestyle which he said entails lots of discipline, exercise and eating the appropriate foods.
Round one of the tournament bowls off tomorrow with DCC vs GNIC at DCC Ground while Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) will tackle the
Malteenoes Sports Club at Bourda. Both matches begin at 14:00hrs.
Round two, which starts Wednesday, will see GNIC and GCC squaring off at the Malteenoes ground from 9:30hrs while MSC will face DCC at the same venue from 1:30pm.
The third and final round expected to bowl off on Thursday, will see MSC tackling GNIC at DCC from 9:30hrs, followed by DCC versus GCC from 1:30pm at the same venue. The winner of zone A will play the runner-up in Zone B while the runner-up of Zone plays the winner of Zone B.
