Vision and Hard work epitomize RHTY&SC, MS – President Granger

Apr 18, 2016 Sports

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Campbell and Mahadeo are female and male cricketers; WI female T20 duo recognised   

By Franklin Wilson
“What we have seen here in Guyana over the last quarter of a century is the result of hard work and vision by Mr. Foster to make this a reality; it could not have been easy. In fact if 25 years ago you tried to draw a chart of the number of sports organizations in Guyana and see where they are today we’ll see what an achievement the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club has brought about in this country.”

The words of His Excellency President Granger during the feature address at the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, MS 26th Annual Awards Ceremony which was held yesterday afternoon at the St. Francis Training Centre, JC Chandisingh Access Road, Rose Hall Town, Berbice.
The gala event which saw the attendance of a number of dignitaries including Minister of Social Cohesion Hon. Amna Ally MP, Mayor of Rose Hall Mr. Vijay Ramoo, DDL’s Larry Wills, Gizmos and Gadgets Earl Gomes, Ms. Avie Lindie of Metro Office Equipment & Computer Supplies, Immediate Past Patron Ms. Beverly Harper – Managing Director of Ansa McAl Trading Guyana Ltd., and RHTY&SC President Mr. Keith Foster among others is the marquee activity for the club where they recognized and rewarded its members and others for their outstanding contributions to the continued development of Guyana’s leading club.
Copping the female cricketer of the year award was West Indies player Shemaine Campbelle, while the male cricketer of the year award went to Khemraj Mahadeo.
President Granger, who was inducted as the fifth Patron of the club, congratulated all the awardees which numbered over 50 for their respective and collective efforts which ultimately will add up to make Guyana a better place.
The club’s executive was also recognized by His Excellency for its visionary leadership over the last quarter of a century.
Stating his regard for the Rose Hall region as a frontier in the future development of Guyana, the Head of State said that he has always recognised the centrality of Rose Hall to the growth of the nation, noting that in the whole of CARICOM there are only two Caribbean states which touch each other, Guyana and Suriname.
“And the cutting edge for Guyana is East Berbice, Corentyne. I have great hopes about East Berbice, Corentyne, Region 6; not only in terms of the economy, rice and sugar, but in terms of commerce and most particularly in terms of culture and sport.”
Reminiscing on the days when sports in Guyana were exclusive where ordinary folk could not have entered much less represent, President Granger emphatically said it was completely divisive and couldn’t be the way a country can develop.
“Fortunately over the last 50 or 60 years these walls of division have been broken down. And this is what I say, this is what I feel, this is what I believe is part of the work of Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, it is helping to break down walls which prevented people, because of their origin from participating in some sports.”
Granger in further distinguishing the work of the club posited that he would like to see more clubs of this nature being formed around Guyana to guide and develop young people.
“But we only have one Hilbert Foster and that’s the problem,” Granger said to loud applause and laughter. He pointed out that he regards the awards ceremony as a means of making Guyana more culturally inclusive
“And I hope that following the example of the 18th of March, we will be able to replicate this model in all of the regions. So perhaps I must search the constitution to see if I have the power to make this young man a sports ambassador to all of the other regions.”
While touching on the imminent celebratory activities that are being planned for Guyana’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in less than a month from now, the President said that it was a good time to take stock of where we were 50 years ago and where we want to be 50 years from now.
“Fifty years from now, we want to see our young people being able to inter mingle, to engage each other and that is why I feel that this ceremony here is important. I really would like to see Rose Hall taking its sports ambassadors into Mabaruma and Bartica. I really would like to see in years to come right here in East Berbice Corentyne, a sports stadium.”
Attendees and awardees were encouraged by the President to embrace the vision of the region not only as a powerful economic engine for producing rice, sugar and fish but also as a cultural capital bringing international cricketers from all over the Caribbean to the Corentyne.
“The home of so many famous international cricketers, up to now, up to Sunday the 17th you are still producing quality international cricketers.”
Club President, Keith Foster in brief remarks thanked the friends of the club and sponsors for their partnership towards its success, while complimenting Campbell and Tremayne Smartt, a former RHTYSC player for their World Cup winning efforts with the West Indies Female team. Both were honoured by the club and a number of sponsors for their historic achievement.
Mayor of Rose Hall Ramoo, a former club member and cricketer promised to lend support to his former club while respective sponsor’s representatives also offered congratulations to the awardees and the West Indies Female duo.
More details on the awards ceremony in a subsequent publication.

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