Dear Editor,
It warms my heart to see the media highlighting the plight of the disadvantaged in this country. As a Buxtonion and an ardent cricket enthusiast I just couldn’t resist penning this letter. It seems that the infighting over the years at the East Coast Cricket Board level and the Demerara Cricket Board level has left one question unanswered.
What has become of Buxton cricketers? Throughout the years these cricketers have shown what it means by rising above adversities. They have travelled far and wide throughout this country when teams have refused to visit their ground, and have put forward more than credible performances against several teams.
However, for some reason, Buxtonions are not worthy of playing for the East Coast Teams nor are they worthy of being selected to Demerara/National trials to stake a claim in the national team. It has gone to such an extent that one of the most accomplished athletes of this Village and a cricketer at heart plies his trade in the football arena instead of being solely committed to cricket.
The only reason Clive Andries is playing cricket from my estimation is due to his passion for the sport, he makes the time whether football is playing or not, to play and contributes extensively to the success of the Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Team whether bowling his off spin or unleashing his Andre Russell-style brutal innings on opponents.
Due to the neglect of these cricketers, it seems there isn’t the desire like in years past to do the necessary training etc because the reality is, the chance of selection is not there, or has not been there for whatever reason, over the past 3 years, especially since the fracture in the Demerara, Guyana and East Coast cricket boards. Admirably, the team continues to churn out credible performances – (a case in point, the ‘A’ team winning 4 out of their last 5 games) just imagine if they are motivated by a level playing field, equal opportunities and the necessary support, what can be accomplished.
The Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club had to have been doing something right over the years, because they have produced outstanding CXC & CAPE performers, Graduates from the University of Guyana, Graduates from GTI and also Graduates from CPCE, and to this date none of their players have been associated with criminal activity.
The question has to be asked, when will the time come whereby these cricketers are going to be given a fair share of the proverbial ‘cricket pie,’ only God knows. One thing is for sure though, throughout all the adversities faced by this cricket club since its formation in 2000, they have continued to play the sport they love so dearly.
As a Buxtonion I must say thank you to all those persons who have played or are playing for the Buxton Carl Hooper Cricket Club and to those persons or entities that have contributed in whatever way, small or big to the development of the sport in this village.
Yours faithfully,
Marvin Cato
