Sportsmen, entertainers keen on cricket match

West Indies cricketers and other talented sportsmen are excited to be part of the upcoming celebrity T20 cricket match that is geared towards the back-to-school initiative, being held this Sunday, September 27, at Dover Playing Field.

The event is being organised by Member of Parliament for Christ Church South Ralph Thorne and chairman of the Red Foundation Stedson ‘Red Plastic Bag’ Wiltshire, a former ten-time calypso King.

Barbadians are being asked to donate school supplies such as composition notebooks, pencils, pens, erasers, backpacks and all other items for the children. Back to school containers will be placed at the Oistins Fish Market, Amigos located in Dover, Cloisters in Sheraton, at the Dover pavilion and around the playing field on the night of the game. Vouchers can be donated.

Before the actual celebrity T20 cricket which has some big names involved, there will be road tennis and basketball competitions. Dale Rudder, Terencia Coward, Ronnie Clark and Admiral Nelson are expected to take part in the tennis exhibition games.

Dr Anthony ‘Gabby’ Carter is more than elated to pick back up his road tennis racquet after so many years. He described this initiative as a great idea.

“I want to thank the entire team, Adrian ‘Ockey’ Donovan, Alf Padmore, my good friend Stedson ‘Red Plastic Bag’ Wiltshire, Ralph Thorne for putting this event together. I think it is a wonderful idea, in particular trying to get supplies for children to go back to school is fantastic.

“Quite a few of my friends who play cricket for Barbados and some even for West Indies are going to be participating. I think it is a wonderful gesture, it is a really great thing and I know that the crowd is going to be massive. I also know they are going to have a lot of fun and at the same time, people would be supporting a worthy cause,” Carter said.

He added: “In advance, I want to appeal to anybody who has any gifts that would be pertaining to school supplies to please don’t think it is too small. Just bring it so that we can get it to the children.”

Former national player Anthony ‘Daisy’ Clarke was known around Barbados as an outstanding football player for Barbados. But on Sunday he will showcase another side of his sporting ability when he takes the field to compete.

Clarke said with so many individuals and their families being impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, he was happy to be part of such a great fundraising event.

He explained: “There are instances where children are going to school and parents are not working. So, it is a great opportunity to give back and we are trying to have as much school supplies as possible collected on Sunday. We are hoping others could follow suit in whatever means to help those people out there who need the assistance at this time.”

Among the names listed for this Sunday’s cricket match are Floyd Reifer, Ian Webster, Ian Bradshaw, Derrick Bishop, Ulric Batson, Jamar Griffith, Akeem Dewar and Robin Parris on the Red Plastic Bag team.

Meanwhile, Dwayne Smith, MP Dwight Sutherland, Ashley Nurse, Kyle Mayers, Emmerson Trotman, Barry Wilkinson, Paradise football captain Armando ‘Suga’ Lashley and Former opening batsman Donovan Lovell said he was always willing to play for a worthy cause.

Lovell who is also capable of handling his own with the ball played division one cricket for the Banks and Spartan Clubs. He also plied his trade in league cricket in England and also had a year in South Africa.

“Any fundraisers that are held in Barbados to assist in any way, especially the young ones going back to school, I am certainly all for it and happy to be a part of it,” Lovell said.

Meanwhile, Barbados’ talented top-order batsman Kyle Mayers said: “I feel good to be part of the charity game. It is always good to give back and I love to give back so it feels good to support this fundraiser. Mayers said he would try his best to produce some fireworks with sixes.”

The day’s activities will commence at 3.p.m. but the actual T20 match will bowl off at 6:30.p.m. The umpires are MP Adrian ‘Medic’ Forde and Patrick Grazette. Amigos Bar and restaurant one of the sponsors will be hosting an after-event lime.

morissalindsay@barbadostoday.bb