Ganga’s charity raises funds for underprivileged kids
...as Lara, Chanderpaul stole the spotlight
Radhica Sookraj
Published:Guardian
Monday, January 16, 2017
Double record holder Brian Lara hits a ball for six during a charity match hosted by the Darren Ganga Foundation at Barrackpore United Sports Grounds, Barrackpore yesterday.
Cricket legend Brian Charles Lara put Barrackpore residents in a frenzy when he competed in a friendly match with other cricket heroes to raise funds to help underprivileged children supported by the Daren Ganga Foundation.
The residents from various cricket clubs in the county, paid $1,000 each to play on the same field with cricket superstars Lara, Ganga, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Lendl Mark Simmons, Nicolas Pooran, Rajindra Dhanraj and Dinanath Ramnarine.
During the game, Lara scored several sixes one of which went over the fence of the Barrackpore United Recreation Ground and struck spectator Kishan Beharrysingh full on his mouth, bursting his lip. He was medically examined but was not hospitalized.
Lara led his team to a four-wicket victory over Ganga’s XI in the celebrity T20 match in front of a sold-out venue.
The 47-year-old, left-hander blasted 67 of 27 balls which included five sixes and seven fours to set up his team’s successful run-chase.
Chanderpaul, who was Lara’s partner when he broke the world record (375) in Antigua in 1994, helped himself to an unbeaten 53 which comprised six sixes after he faced 38 balls. Rajendra Dhanraj was the best with one for 27.
Lara XI reached 184 for six off 18.2 overs after Ganga’s team totalled 178 for seven of 20 overs. Ganga scored 48, while Pooran added 31 of 16 balls and Simmons 25.
Former WIPA president and former West Indies player Dinanath Ramnarine picked up four wickets for 25 runs and Ganga two for 16.
Following the day’s event Ganga speaking to Guardian Media, praised the superstars for contributing to his scholarship fund which provides one-on-one mentorship and coaching to talented youngsters in a multiplicity of disciplines including sports, dance, singing, arts and culture.
“We are using the Foundation to engage young people. It is about empowering them and providing opportunities to them,†Ganga said.
He called on government to hire professional coaches and students who have graduated with physical education degrees to work in the communities to hone budding sporting talent.
Saying it was not enough to provide facilities, Ganga said these community coaches will be able to spot talent and provide the right mentoring to youths. “This can serve as a deterrent to crime,†Ganga added. He also said that existing sporting clubs must be given adequate resources and there must be a system in place to ensure that the clubs are active in communities.
Urging youths to have a balance in life whilst placing priority on education, Ganga said there were many local heroes who can serve as an inspiration to the youth.
Since his Foundation started in 2010, Ganga said over 70 youths have benefitted and have excelled in their chosen fields.
Among these are Arun Roopnarine and Brittanny Joseph, T&T’s top table tennis players and popular singer Gabriel Rajkumar who performed at the cricket event.
