The New York Pioneer Cricket Club has contributed 10 boxes of white cricket balls to the “Cricket Gear for Young Cricketers in Guyana” initiative, which is spearheaded by Kishan Das of the USA and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Executive Anil Beharry.
According to an official press release from the entity, the latest contribution from the Pioneer Cricket Club was influenced by USA-based Guyanese Kennard Verapen.
The project, which collects contributions in the form of cricket gear and redistributes them across Guyana to young cricketers, has so far seen donations amounting to $370,000 in cash, thirteen coloured cricket uniforms, two trophies, seventeen pairs of cricket boots, thirty-one pairs of batting pads, thirty-two cricket bats, twenty-nine pairs of batting gloves, twenty-four thigh pads, three pairs of wicket-keeping pads, six arm guards, two chest guards, two boxes, ten cricket bags, six bat rubbers, six helmets, one softball cricket bat, and ten boxes of white balls.
In addition to the aforesaid, over $600,000 worth of equipment was donated by Sheikh Mohamed, a former national wicketkeeper and batsman.
To date, sixty-nine young players from all three counties of Guyana have benefited from three junior gear bags, two trophies, four arm guards, twenty-seven bats, two boxes, five helmets, twenty-four pairs of cricket shoes, fifteen pairs of batting pads, twenty-two thigh pads, one bat rubber, twenty-four pairs of batting gloves, and two pairs of wicket-keeping gloves.
Additionally, two clubs in the Pomeroon area benefited from two used bats. Pomeroon, Leguan, and Wakenaam Cricket Committees and Cotton Tree Die Hard also received one box of red cricket balls each, and Cold Fusion Cricket Club received thirteen coloured uniforms.
According to the release, Das and Beharry note, “Cricket-related items, used or new, are distributed free of charge to young and promising cricketers in Guyana. Skills, discipline, and education are important characteristics of the recipients. Talent spotting is being done across the country, and club leaders also assist in identifying talent. Progressive and well-managed cricket clubs with a youth programme will also benefit.”
