State Minister pledges $250,000 to DCC

Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, on Friday pledged a donation of $250,000 to the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC), which will facilitate the upkeep of the club’s cricket grounds. The Minister made the pledge at the closing ceremony of the DCC’s two-week Youth Cricket Camp at the Clubhouse in Queenstown.

Minister Harmon said that the funds donated to the DCC will promote development among club members.

“I really am happy to be associated with this club and…I’ve committed to [a donation]…of $250,000 which I will dedicate to the continued work on the Demerara Cricket club so that the facilities which are provided by this club can continue to benefit our young people. [The DCC] can continue to provide that facility for young men and women to come through this club and eventually become legends,” he said.

The State Minister said that the DCC is home to many great cricketers who are role models for the young cricketers.

“You have participated in… a rite of passage associated with 106 years of proud tradition that can be traced back to the year 1912. This distinguished club has nurtured cricket greats…West Indies cricket has always been at the pinnacle of the world cricket scene and when you examine the pool from which these cricketers come, you have to understand that we, in this region, are specially gifted people. [When] you celebrate Shimron Hetmyer, [when] you celebrate Keemo Paul…understand that this is where they came from. This is where you are and that is where you will [be], if you apply the principles that were taught to you here,” he said.

In addition to the cricket training, the young cricketers were taught communication skills and the rules of good sportsmanship, with focus on an aspect of sports psychology, the winning spirit.