Guyana U-19s being robbed of valuable practice

Jul 01, 2009 Sports

Bramble receives gear from UK-based Guyanese

On an afternoon blessed with glorious sunshine yesterday, the Guyana Under-19 cricketers were again robbed of valuable practice when the first day of their final three-day practice match was washed out, at the Police Sports Club ground in Georgetown.

Walker (right) presents a pair of ‘Keeping gloves to Bramble as his team mates, Coach Huburn Evans (2nd from right), Manager Alvin Johnson (4th from right) and Chairman of the National senior selection panel Claude Raphael (extreme right) share the moment yesterday.

While the covered pitch was not affected by torrential overnight rain, the outfield remained soggy and if there is more rain this morning the players would have to resort to a 15:00hrs ‘net’ session today, as they prepare to compete in the 2009 West Indies Under-19 cricket series in Jamaica from July 9-August 5.

Manager Alvin Johnson said that he is hoping that the youths can have at least a two-day game, starting today against a Rest Team, before breaking camp on Friday.

The players have had just two days of turf cricket since they encamped two just under two weeks ago and will once again depart these shores next Tuesday (July 7) short of batting and bowling practice, since the emphasis was on fitness for the majority of their encampment period.

A decision is also expected to be made tomorrow on whom will replace injured batsman Rajendra Naikbarran in the squad and the main contenders seem to be spinners Imran Khan and Anthony Adams

Meanwhile, Skipper Anthony Bramble received a pair of wicket-keeping gloves and pads from United Kingdom based Guyanese businessmen Felix Walker and Krishna Dwarka under the sports brand FK Sports.

The presentation was made at the Guyana Cricket Board Hostel yesterday afternoon by Walker, who has been residing in England for the past 19 years.

The 36-year-old, who played first division cricket in the 1990’s for Malteenoes, explained that this is the first time the FK Sports brand is coming to the region.

“I will be meeting with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) tomorrow (today) to explore the possibility of us sponsoring the Guyana senior team and assisting with the development of youths in Guyana,” Walker said.

Walker said he has been following the progress of Guyanese players via the internet and wished the National youth players, well in Jamaica.

Dwarka, who was born in England to Guyanese parents, is the other half of the Company which Walker said provides services in Sports Management, Sports Tours and cricket gear.

Walker disclosed that his Company, which was formed in 2004, also gets contracts in England for overseas cricketers and he is hoping that they could work in collaboration with the GCB in the development of local cricketers.

He informed that talks are also scheduled in Barbados and Trinidad with the view of launching the FK Sports gear in those Islands.

Walker told the youths

that it is an honour to represent their country and opined that it is much easier to get into a first-class or West Indies team than when he played in Guyana and urged the youths to work hard and be good ambassadors for their country in Jamaica.

He added that his company understands the economic difficulties faced by many clubs and parents in sustaining the careers of young players in Guyana and is providing quality equipment at affordable prices.

“We hope to be back soon with our line of sports gear and once our discussion with the GCB is fruitful the local market should be equipped with our products, which should ultimately help the overall game in Guyana. Walker departs Guyana next week.