The development of cricket at West Demerara High School has received a major boost following the introduction of a large amount of equipment on Thursday.
Some students and teachers at the school, located close to the Demerara Harbor Bridge, gathered on Thursday morning to receive the equipment from Alumni representatives.
Making the presentation on behalf of the Alumni were former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul, his son Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Guyana Jaguars Super50 selector Akshaya Persaud, and former school student Naveed Ali, local – students.

Former Guyana and West Indies cricketer Shivnarine Chanderpaul (fifth from right) presents a bat to West Demerara High School Headmaster Harrinarine. Sharing the moment are teachers and students at the school, cricketers Tagenarine Chanderpaul (third right) and Akshaya Persaud (fourth right), and local Almuni representative Naveed Ali (third left)

The donation included cricket bats, batting and wicket keeping pads, sticks, balls, helmets, gear bags and protective equipment.
Some computer supplies were also part of what is an initial gift to the school from the Alumni, who are based in the United States and Canada.
Harrinarine, the school’s beam headmaster, was particularly pleased to receive the pieces of equipment. He noted that the school not only has a vibrant cricket program, but that students are active in other disciplines.
The academic head, using the opportunity to boast the athletic prowess of the students, highlighted boxer Mark Crawford and middle distance athlete Joanna Archer.
While Crawford is a gold medal winner in the Caribbean, Archer has also been on the podium at the National Schools Championships, the Inter-Guiana Games, the Carifta Games, and the South American Championships. She is currently on scholarship in the United States of America.
Alumni would soon be donating a second gift to the school, in the form of a gas-powered power washer, weeding machine, printers, computer supplies, and football and volleyball.
Former Guyana and West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, meanwhile, addressed the students on the need for them to balance academic activities and sporting excellence.
He encouraged students to focus on achieving their goals and setting high standards for themselves. The most capped Test player in the Caribbean offered that all goals can be achieved, with hard work, dedication and commitment.

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