Ronnie Sarwan remembers his Wakenaam roots

Nov 28, 2008 Sports

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Contributes to Zeelandia Mandir, Wakenaam Community ground

By Sean Devers
On a day blessed with glorious sunshine, the Sarwan family, members of the media and scores of grateful residents of the 17 square-mile Essequibo Island of Wakenaam were on Wednesday a part of the presentation of a Lord Shiva Mortie to the Zeelandia Mandir and a $500,000 cheque towards the construction of a pavilion at the Wakenaam Community cricket ground.
The contribution by the West Indies Test batsman Ramnaresh ‘Ronnie’ Sarwan was a part of him remembering his roots and ‘giving back’ to an Island where he was born nearly 28 years ago.
Sarwan, who scored 4,889 runs from 72 Tests at an average of 40.40 with 11 centuries and averages 44.17 from 136 ODIs, is with the West Indies team in New Zealand and could not be on hand to personally make his contribution while his brother, Ravi Sarwan was also unavoidable absent because of his involvement in the Demerara 20/20 team’s practice session at Everest Wednesday.
Kishan and Kumari Sarwan, who got married 29 years ago in Zeelandia Wakenaam and who both hail from the Region Three Island, journeyed across the choppy Essequibo river from their Eccles home in East Bank Demerara to make the presentation on behalf of their illustrious son.
Kumari who delivered Sarwan at her former Wakenaam home, which is now owned by the proprietor of Bhena’s Footwear, said her son, who won US$1Millon when the Stanford Superstars beat England in Antigua earlier this month, wanted to give back something to the Wakenaam community.
“Ronnie has been very fortunate in recent times and told us to make sure we get a Mortie to give to the Mandir since he feels one should always remember the god they serve not only when they need divine help but also when they are successful. He is becoming more religious and wants everyone to remember whichever god they serve for the blessings they get and sometimes take for granted,” Kumari explained.
Kishan, who said that Sarwan, who moved to the City with his family as a four-year-old, would often end up in the trench in front of their house when he ran after balls which he would hit with a ‘beater’ (wooden instrument used for washing clothes traditionally used by mainly people in the country-side) which he used as a cricket bat.
“When Ronnie heard that a pavilion was being built in Wakenaam at the Islands’ major cricket ground and that the committee was trying to raise funds, he asked us to make a contribution since although he learnt his cricket at the Stella Primary school in Georgetown, he was born in Wakenaam and is very proud of where he came from,” Kishan said.
The construction of the pavilion, which when completed will have dressing rooms, a spectator section and a club house on the bottom flat to accommodate indoor games, depends on the availability and the total cost for construction is $9 million.
The land for the cricket ground was bought by President Bharrat Jagdeo and just over $800,000 was raised at the Wakenaam Night held last August as a fund raising venture.
Asif Ahmad, Chairman of the Wakenaam Management and Wakenaam Cricket Committees, welcomed the Sarwans back home and said at the presentation ceremony that the community is grateful for the generosity since it will assist in the development of youths on the Island through Sport, which he said is an important aspect of forging unity.
Headmaster of the Essequibo Islands Secondary School Jaidat Persaud explained that the idea of building the pavilion ‘went a long way back’ and added that he knew it would eventually become a reality.
“Funding was a major hurdle and while the Essequibo Night help a great dealing in getting the project started in September, the funds dwindled and this contribution from Sarwan is timely. I hope that more assistance can come from members of our community and members of the wider community and that there will be more Sarwans contributing to this project’” Persaud said.
He said that Sarwan is a hero in Wakenaam and a household name in the cricketing world which gets the opportunity to hear about our small but wonderful Island whenever Sarwan is batting and the commentators talk about where he is from.
Tulchand Pooran, an extended family member of the Sarwans and a Wakenaam resident, said it is also good to see generous gifts being presented to assist the development of sports in the area.
“When Kishan called yesterday (Tuesday) to say what Ronnie wanted to do, it was indeed a surprise. This is the main ground here and it is used for all sports especially cricket so we are all pleased.
Sarwan said that financial help for the pavilion was due a long time and decided to make the contribution because he has not done anything for Wakenaam since he became an International cricketer.”
The elegant right-hander speaking with Kaieteur Sport from his hotel room in New Zealand where he said is very cold, said, “Although I moved to Georgetown when I was small I come from Wakenaam and went on to play for the West Indies. I hope my contribution will help to improve the facilities for cricket on the Island giving youths there a better chance to also becoming a West Indies player. I also hope my achievements will inspire the little boys there to want to play cricket seriously.”
He added that his late grandmother always told him to never forget to worship Lord Shiva and while he has not been as religious as he should he realizes the importance of god in your life and doing good for those less fortunate than you.
“As you get older and more matured you realize that if you must give thanks to god since he helps to make all things possible for you in life. I now worship Lord Shiva more often in good times and in bad times and since I came from Wakenaam I asked dad to make sure the Lord Shiva Mortie was taken to the Zeelandia Mandir,” Sarwan informed.
Wakenaam, located about 25 minutes by ‘speed boat’ from Parika on the East Bank of Essequibo, has helped to produce several prominent citizens including Guyana cricket Captain Travis Dowlin and Kaieteur News’ publisher Glen Lall.

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