By Akeem Greene
We are quite certain that most persons are aware of the correlation between the Yadram name and cricket in Guyana, and now at the Windies youth level. However, many may not be unaware of the contributions of Kavita Yadram towards the development of the sport.
According to Kavita, “cricket runs in the blood” as grandfathers Shaeed and Jaimangal all played for Enterprise- the community of residence- and then followed her father Seemangal and his brothers Khandi and Latchman, who is now a National Under-15 coach. Her mother Shameiza is also an avid supporter of the game.
Her younger brothers Kamesh and Bhaskar both went unto play for Guyana at the youth level, with the 18 year-old Bhaskar going even further, by playing at the First-Class level and also for the Windies Youth team at the ICC World Cup, earlier this year.
It was clearly not surprising that the 24 year-old had a genetic fondness for the sport, for which she represented the country at both youth and senior level.
“It started as my brothers trained in our yard and had little or no one to field and throw back the ball which they would ask me to do for them. From that I started to try bowling to them then I started to ask for my batting”, Kavita recollected.
“Kamesh, I think he is more technically correct when playing his shots and playing his game in general but Bhaskar Yadram is more of the power hitter”, she added.
The big turning point came when the wrote the National Grade Six Assessment Examination and gained a spot at Bladen Hall Multilateral, which had a female team ; Kavita was soon appointed captain and won numerous wind ball competitions.
Making the bold step to play with the leather ball, the all-rounder joined the Police Sports Club and it was no looking back. Called to play for her East Coast Association team, she secured a spot on Demerara Under-19 and the national team as the Vice-captain in 2011 and the senior team two years later.
“I think there are only a few words that can describe the feeling of playing for Guyana and those words are amazing, proud, special and fantastic”, she conveyed.
Sailing on the high of playing regional cricket, which allowed her to be imprinted with the picturesque views of Caribbean neighbours and which exposed her to different cultures, she also managed to earn player-of-the match in 2014 , with a top score of 55 against St Lucia in Dominica.
However, it was not always high-fives and smiles. “2016 was not my best year. I was training and putting in so much work but was just not getting the result I was looking for”.
When moments of defeat loomed, Kavita said it was her parents who kept her and brothers afloat.
“I must say thanks to God for giving us such loving, caring and humble parents. They played a big part in our game where they will leave their jobs to come out and support us whenever we are playing and always try their best to get whatever gears we need”.
“They would always sit with us at home and talk to us on discipline towards the game and other people, also my dad would sit and draw out the field, showing us how to set the field when bowling or when we would be the captain of a side. We always look at our parents as our first role model. My parents are one in a million God has given to us and we love them dearly.”
Jovial Enterprise
The Enterprise Busta Sports Club is always an electric atmosphere when cricket is being played, it could be simple as softball but the community comes out in full support.
“Life in enterprise is just cheerful, joyous and very welcoming. Enterprise is a cricketing community where every corner in the village you go you will see someone with a bat and ball playing cricket in the streets. We love cricket in Enterprise and we are very proud of our cricketers that came out from our village.”
Off Field action
After playing her last regional tournament in 2016 on home soil, a new chapter, which is still being written, started . She got married to Hansraj Sookdeo and soon after brought into the world, Vihaan Sookdeo, what is hoped to be another cricket star.
Instead of suiting up with bat and pad, her new tool, is a pen, inking the future of country’s cricket in her role as the Technical Development Officer of the Guyana Cricket Board, a job she fully enjoys.
“I enjoy administrating cricket and getting involved with the youths in primary and secondary schools and dealing with the players. I always tell myself after playing cricket I want to do or be something within cricket, which I am grateful I got that opportunity to do so and I grabbed it with both hands.”
The Administrator ended by giving a word of advice to other females who may want pilot a similar path.
“I would like to say to all you women out there who may or may not want to be involved in sports is go for what you want to achieve in your life and always remember the sky is the limit. You must work hard to achieve your goals in life no matter what your choice may be”. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
