For many young aspiring cricketers, the dreaded feeling of having to find expensive gear to play the gentleman’s game is a nauseating feeling, but for young Essequibo off-spinner, Amit Persaud, he will enter the second round of the Hand-In-Hand Under-19 three-day tournament decked out in gear sponsored by V-Net Communications.
Persaud, who sprayed his footwear from black to white just to take part in the tournament grabbed 7-61 against Demerara on debut in the first round and said he was extremely happy to have someone stand behind him in his aspiring career.
The Affiance resident explained that while playing in the ball field was the furthest he went prior to this level, he was encouraged to go to trials at the other junior levels but chose to pursue his studies which landed him a job as a teacher back in February.
The young man added that this gesture has motivated him to continue to do well, pledging to the sponsors at a simple ceremony at the company’s Delph Street, Campbellville Head Office that he will perform to the best of his abilities in an effort to make them proud.
Managing Director of the Communications Company, Sarfraz Sheriffudeen, encouraged the youngster to continue to strive for greater heights and not to forget to remain humble as he pointed out the talent he sees in the teacher.
Sheriffudeen noted that it was an impressive feat for a debutant at this level.
The youngster, he said, had never faced competition which Demerara with West Indies youth players in their line up and to take seven wickets was a tremendous feat.
Added to that Persaud made a fighting knock of 16 with the bat, albeit in a losing cause.
Essequibo coach, Ryan Hercules who was also present, said that while Persaud is still rough around the edges, mostly due to his recent entry into the game, he has a lot of talent and suggested to the young man that he uses criticisms as motivation.
