Blind cricketers step up preparation for regional tourney

May 20, 2009 Sports

– visit Bartica to promote awareness for persons with disabilities

A Guyana Blind Cricket Association (GBCA) 17-member squad joined the Disabled Persons Network (DPN) Region 7 (Bartica) in their campaign to promote awareness, for persons with disabilities.

The trip, which took place recently, was funded by the EU and VSO. The GBCA contingent was headed by GBCA executive Theresa Pemberton and was met by a welcome party, which included members of the RDC and the DPN.

On Friday May 8 a march through the community was organised by the Regional body after which the team visited the St John Baptist Primary and Bartica Secondary schools.

In addition to a blind cricket demonstration, the importance of caring for your eyes was emphasised by the blind and visually impaired cricketers.

Later in the evening GBCA Vice-President Cecile Morris, Executive member and West Indies blind cricketer Ganesh Singh, Bartica DPN executives Lennox Wyatt and Godfrey McDonald appeared on a live TV show on Channel Five in Bartica.

The next day the National Blind Cricket team participated in an exhibition cricket match and a crowd of over 200 watched in awe as the players went through their paces.

According to Pemberton, the excitement level was tremendous and whenever a totally blind person struck a four or successfully fielded a

ball, the fans went wild.

The DPN of Region 7 is part of the National Disabled Persons Network Guyana, which promotes Equal Rights for persons with disabilities; sharing skills and changing lives.

The Guyana Blind Cricket team’s next Out Reach Programme is set for Region 5 (West Berbice) later this month.

The GBCA is preparing to host the fourth Regional West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind Cricket Tournament from July 18-26.

The GBCA wants to thank all those who made the Bartica trip a successful one, especially Mr. Tarsie of Channel 5, the staff of the Regional Guest House, the REO Mr. Ramotar, Regional Health Officer Mrs Ferrier, Sports organiser Mr. Ali, Umpire Anthony Murray, Regional Chairman Mr. Hubert Knights, former Regional Chairman and member of Lions Mr. Bradford, Coordinator RDC and Regional representative Ms. Das, Ms Jenny.