By Avenash Ramzan
Guyana will this weekend continue its relief efforts to those Caribbean territories devastated by recent hurricanes, through the hosting of a T20 cricket match between home side Guyana Jaguars and a Caribbean All Star team.
Dubbed ‘Cricket Cares’, the game is billed for Sunday (October 22) at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, with the first ball set to be bowled at 17:00h. Gates would be opened from 16:00h.
It is being organised by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) in partnership with Ansa McAl’s Carib Beer and Keem’s Foundation, a charitable organisation.
Proceeds from the game will be forwarded to the Civil Defence Commission for distribution to those islands ravaged by the hurricanes. The game will feature several players who were part of the Hero Caribbean Premier League 2017, including Rayad Emrit, Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Ronsford Beaton, Jonathon Foo and Veerasammy Permaul.
The Guyana Jaguars line-up will feature all the players who recently competed in the Antigua Independence Tri-Nation T20 Series, finishing as runners-up to Jamaica.
At a press briefing on Thursday, stakeholders called on cricket fans to fill the Stadium and demonstrate the benevolence of the nation.
Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie, said while the Prohibited and Restricted Items list will be enforced for the game, he is envisaging a party-like atmosphere in the stands, as the on-field action is expected to be riveting.
He encouraged Guyanese to contribute to a worthy cause, just like natives of Trinidad and Tobago did in a similar initiative a week ago.
Nigel Worrell of Ansa McAl Trading said the entity is always willing to partner in meaningful activities and this is another avenue through which the beverage company can fulfil its corporate/social responsibility.
Referring to the establishment’s 25th year of existence in Guyana this year, Worrell said being aligned to the cricket match is another means for them to give back to a humanitarian cause.
Popular radio personality Feliz Robertson, representing the Keem’s Foundation, said cricket was a natural fit in this relief effort as the sport has the potential of bringing people together.
She is urging Guyanese to not only come out and witness a good game of cricket, but also embrace their Caribbean brothers and sisters by making a donation towards their rebuilding effort.
Tickets cost $1,500 for the Party Stand where local artistes Tameka Marshall, Natural Black and Jomo ‘Rubber Waist’ Jomo are among those who will perform live. The Carib Beer tent will also be located in that area of the ground, while cheerleaders for the two teams will add to the excitement.
Admission to the Red, Green and Orange Stands is $2,000, while volunteers will be in each stand collecting donations from persons desirous of contributing to the relief effort.
Tickets will be on sale from Friday (October 19) at Poonai’s Pharmacy in Rose Hall Town, Little Rock Hotel in New Amsterdam, M&Ms on the East Bank Demerara, Saro Boy Groceries in Buxton, Nimbus Water in Vreed-in-Hoop, Big Yard Auto Sales in Tuschen and Dan’s Snackett in Parika.
Guyana Jaguars: Leon Johnson (Captain), Robin Bacchus, Sherfane Rutherford, Jonathon Foo, Gajanand Singh, Chandrapaul Hemraj, Anthony Bramble, Keemo Paul, Romario Shepherd, Ricardo Adams, Christopher Barnwell, Veerasammy Permaul, Steven Jacobs, Ronsford Beaton, Ramal Lewis.
Caribbean All Stars: Rayad Emrit (Captain), Lendl Simmons, Dwayne Smith, Andre Fletcher, Nicolas Pooran, Kjorn Ottly, Kevin Cooper, Keswick Williams, Jevon Searles, Fidel Edwards, Sulieman Benn, Lennox Cush, Joshua Wade, Andre Stoll, Romaine Maniram.
