By Avenash Ramzan
Supremely proud of his Amerindian heritage, rising 17-year-old fast bowling talent Darwin Joseph is relishing the opportunity to play in his maiden Senior Inter-County 50-over competition.
The Warapoka teen has been named in the Guyana Cricket Board’s Select XI for the October 11-26 tournament, sponsored by Queensway Security Service Inc.
The Region One (Barima-Waini) cricketer first tried the sport at age 11, and his tremendous skill quickly elevated him to national duties, having already represented Guyana three years at the Under-17 level.
“Playing cricket is a dream come true,” he told News Room as he credited his parents- Randolph and Sharmeine Joseph- for standing as strong pillars of support in his cricketing endeavours.
“They always tell me ‘never give up’ and let me continue to follow my dream.”
“I always think about the game. I always train and work hard and I’m so happy with the progress I’ve made so far.”
While he is delighted to get the selectors’ nod for the Select XI, Joseph, who patterns his bowling off his namesake and countryman Shamar Joseph, articulated that his next goal at the Senior Inter-County level is to represent his county Essequibo.
“I know I have to put in more work to make that possible, and I will do it,” the confident young man, who has career-best figures of 6-22, related.
“For now I’m looking forward to representing the Select XI to the best of my ability and hopefully we come out successful.”
A big admirer of the batting style of West Indies top-order batter Brandon King, Joseph highlighted that hardball cricket is not very popular in Warapoka, and his induction in the sport was via tapeball.
It is the hope of Joseph that his elevation to national colours will help to inspire a growth in the hardball game in his village, and more talents could emerge and follow in his footsteps.
Focus on elevating sport in indigenous communities
That could soon become a reality as just last month during the Amerindian Heritage Games at the Everest Ground, President Irfaan Ali announced that he has instructed the Guyana Cricket Board to include a national indigenous team in its competitions and trials.
Former Guyana and West Indies captain Ramnaresh Sarwan has been appointed as the mentor and coach for indigenous talent in cricket, while former West Indies cricketer and coach Roger Harper will lead the development of women’s cricket, with special focus on indigenous communities.
“He (Sarwan) will be responsible for working with our indigenous boards and groups to select the first indigenous cricket team that will come into the national cricketing infrastructure and be part of those trials,” President Ali said.
In early October, Sarwan and Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Steven Jacobs travelled to Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) for the first in a series of planned outreach visits.
During their visit to Region Nine, the delegation met with key regional figures, including Regional Chairman Brian Allicock and Mayor of Lethem John Macedo.
They also engaged directly with members of local sporting associations and clubs while inspecting existing facilities.
This comprehensive approach marks the rollout of the President’s initiative, which is structured around three core pillars: Accessibility, Development, and Exposure.
The programme’s ultimate ambition is the creation of a National Heritage Team across various sporting disciplines, ensuring talent identified outside of traditional coastal hubs is given a pathway to elite competition.
President Ali has given similar directives to the Guyana Football Federation and the Guyana Volleyball Federation to ensure indigenous teams are included in their structures.
The President said discussions were had with Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport and Youth Charles Ramson Jr, Minister Jacobs and Minister of Amerindian Affairs Sarah Browne “to ensure that our indigenous communities are given an equal chance to represent the Golden Arrowhead in all of our national sports.”
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