THIRTEEN-year-old Makhaya Jones from the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) has recently received a boost in his cricketing journey through Project “Cricket Gear for Young and Promising Cricketers in Guyana.” This initiative, a collaboration between Kishan Das from the USA and seasoned cricket administrator Anil Beharry from Guyana, aims to support aspiring cricketers.

Makhaya, who is also a right-handed pace bowler and batsman, was presented with a pair of cricket shoes during a modest ceremony. The Campbellville Secondary School student actively participated in the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) Inter Association Under 15 tournament, which serves as a selection platform for the county team competing in the upcoming Inter County championship. In expressing his gratitude, Jones, the son of softball icon Wayne Jones, committed to enhancing his skills and emphasized the importance of balancing cricket with his education and maintaining discipline.

Since the project’s inception, total contributions have amounted to $560,000 in cash along with an impressive array of cricket-related gear, including:

– 13 colored cricket uniforms
– 1 set of stumps
– 2 trophies
– 32 pairs of cricket shoes
– 35 pairs of batting pads
– 46 cricket bats
– 44 pairs of batting gloves
– 26 thigh pads
– 3 pairs of wicket-keeping pads
– 6 arm guards
– 2 chest pads
– 2 boxes
– 12 cricket bags
– 13 bat rubbers
– 6 helmets
– 1 fiberglass bat
– 1 floppy hat
– 14 boxes of white cricket balls
– 13 boxes of red cricket balls
– 1 bat cone
– 28 footballs

So far, 94 young players, both male and female, across all three counties in Guyana have directly benefited from this initiative, receiving various gear, including:

– 8 gear bags
– 2 trophies
– 4 arm guards
– 35 bats
– 4 boxes
– 6 helmets
– 36 pairs of cricket shoes
– 25 pairs of batting pads
– 27 thigh pads
– 1 bat grip
– 45 pairs of batting gloves
– 1 pair of wicket-keeping pads
– 3 pairs of wicket-keeping gloves

Additionally, two clubs in the Pomeroon area have received used bats, while various cricket committees and clubs, including those from Pomeroon, Leguan, and Wakenaam, have received essential equipment such as red cricket balls and uniforms.

Other beneficiaries include the Essequibo Cricket Board, the Town of Lethem, youth coach Travis Persaud (who received a box of red cricket balls), and numerous teams from the Upper Corentyne area. Clubs such as Just Try Cricket Club and Wakenaam Cricket Academy also received cricket balls and gear.

For those interested in contributing to this noble cause, please reach out to Anil Beharry at 623 6875 or Kishan Das at 1 718 664 0896.