The countdown has begun for the Friends of Former Guyana Cricketers group’s first activity in its quest to honor retired players.
A number of ex Guyana players are members of the Friends of Former Guyana Cricketers group. From left back row: Linden Fraser, Deryck Kallicharran, Milton Pydanna, Collie Solomon and Amarnauth Ramcharitar. Sitting from left: Ray Joseph, Leslaine Lambert and Terry Etwaroo.
Later this year the group will journey to Guyana to contest two limited overs matches, from which the proceeds will benefit the family of the late Andrew Lyght, rated as the best Guyanese opening batsman never to play Test cricket. Lyght will be the first on a list of ex players to be honored.
The group comprises some of Guyana’s best cricket talent residing in the United States and beyond including Milton Pydanna, Leslaine Lambert, Ray Joseph, Deryck Kallicharran, Terry Etwaroo, Leonard Baichan, Kamal Singh, Amarnauth Ramcharitar, Collie Soloman and Linden Fraser. And several members of the Guyana team which won the 1983 West Indies Shell Shield title will be in action for the games in Guyana.
The group will kick off fund raising exercises in New York with a Bar-B-Que scheduled for May 29 from 2pm at Naresa Palace, 116-14 Rockaway Blvd in Queens. Tickets are $10.00 and can be had from Naresa Palace at telephone number 718-323-9500, Victor Benjamin at 718-753-2463, or Terry Persaud at 718-688-9704.
Friends of Former Guyana Cricketers will also journey to Toronto, Canada to engage West Demerara of Toronto for a winner- take- all- cash prize softball cricket series, in August. A raffle in New York is also in the works for this summer.
Already the group has registered as a non-profit organization, acquiring its tax ID number and bank account. It is using Exit Realty Lifestyle real estate company on Jamaica Avenue, Queens as its temporary base.
Donations from well wishers from New York and beyond can be made by contacting Friends of Former Guyana Cricketers president Deryck Kallicharran at 917-57-8073, patron Jai Sharma 347-998-8227, secretary Terry Etwaroo 718-840-7600 or Victor Benjamin at 718-753-2463 among others.
