Dear Editor,
Years ago when Keemo Paul was a child, I would sometimes walk along Saxacalli beach. Quite often I would stand under the jamoon tree and observe the boys from Saxacalli Primary play cricket. Even in those days anyone seeing Keemo play would know that he was different, he was like a cat behind the wicket. Fortunately David, Keemo’s father was a cricket enthusiast who knew the game and took the training of his son in hand.
I can remember David telling me that Keemo would one day play for West Indies. David’s words and wish have materialised. Keemo has excelled and, hopefully would one day become one of the world’s greats.
In recent years I have continued strolling along the beach. I stop and stand under the jamoon tree and watch the boys from Saxacalli Primary play cricket. I have seen another cat behind the wicket, who I hope one day will become another Keemo Paul. His name is Leon Allicock and he has now graduated to the Anna Regina Secondary School. I hope and pray that he will receive the necessary assessment and probably, training. It would be a wonderful thing if Saxacalli can produce another international cricketer.
I think that it is to Guyana’s loss that many of Guyana’s youths that live in the interior never realize their potential because of lack of training.
Another area in which the youths of interior locations are neglected is the arts. Amerindians are wonderful artists. But most do not receive the necessary training they need so they can become an asset to Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
E. C. Lobert
