Unity ground being refurbished

- “This is for the benefits of the youths”- Chanderpaul

By Avenash Ramzan

There is a popular idiom that ‘charity begins at home’, and that saying is being perfectly exemplified by two outstanding sons of the soil who are collaborating to give their home ground at Unity a face-lift.

West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul points out that the boundary edges have been expanded, while the pavillion and club house have been repainted (Photo: Avenash Ramzan)

Former president Bharrat Jagdeo and veteran West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul, both born and bred in the East Coast Demerara village, have taken the lead in ensuring the ground is upgraded for the benefit of future generations.
This publication understands that Chanderpaul had approached Jagdeo while he was in office and the former president readily acceded to the request to have the facility undergo a major overhaul. When  Guyana Times Sport visited the ground earlier this week, Chanderpaul was busy assisting the workmen, who were laying sand around the outfield and rolling the pitch area.
“This is certainly a step in the right direction, and I personally want to thank the former president for his assistance in making it a reality,” Chanderpaul, who made his international debut against England in 1994 at the GCC ground, Bourda, related. “This is for the benefits of the youths in the area, because we have about three or four teams that play cricket here…so they will all benefit from this at some stage.”
The former West Indies captain and 2008 International Cricket Council’s Cricketer-of-the-Year pointed out that while the boundaries have been expanded, the club house and pavillion have also been repainted.
Although he is part of Guyana’s Amazon Conquerors training squad preparing for next year’s Regional T20 competition, Chanderpaul is keen on ensuring work on the facility is properly done, and as such, dedicates his spare time to lend his expertise to the workers. The project commenced six weeks ago and is expected to be completed shortly.
Apart from Chanderpaul, the Unity village has produced several top players, including Tagenarine ‘Brandon’ Chanderpaul, Hemraj Garbarran, Krishna Arjune, Vishal Arjune, and Lalchand Persaud.