Dear Editor,
One of Essequibo’s finest cricketers has exited the world, having entered it from a rich cricketing family background. The former Guyana youth player died suddenly at age 30 at his home in Reliance on the Essequibo Coast. Shivnandan Madholall was an extremely talented left-handed batsman whose fast bowling and athletic fielding made him a genuine all-rounder. His passion for the game, intimidating presence and natural flair were unmatched, and he served Essequibo’s cricket with distinction both at the junior and senior level for a number of years. I was privileged to have played with him at the club and inter-county level and he was always a defiant yet elegant player, especially in spin bowling. He never avoided a challenge on the cricket field, and I believe that with his skill and potential he should have been a candidate for West Indies selection.
For most of the promising talent emerging from Essequibo, the opportunities are limited, and work and family commitments restrict the careers of many players. The same could be said of Madholall, since he never got to fulfil his amazing potential. He was relishing a re-birth in active cricket with the Lima United Sports Club, and only recently he had spoken glowingly of giving assistance to guide the young players towards achieving their goals. This no doubt would have inspired many who would have adored him as a role model. He was revered in Reliance where he grew up, and he and his older brother Rovendra Madholall are the best batsmen to have emerged from the village, though national fast bowler Ronsford Beaton is also from Reliance.
The Madholalls, particularly Shivnandan, had facilitated the rise and prominence of the current generation of young cricketers from the village who went on to play nationally. The list includes Rovendra Parasram, Clain Williams, Lawrence Farnum, Mahendra Boodram and the late Balchand Shivambar. He has left a rich legacy and will be remembered as a colourful and dynamic individual. Essequibo indeed has lost a treasured son whose unbeaten last innings which I remember was in Mainstay, his adopted village. He was instrumental in his team’s success in the tournament, thus proving that he was a team player who loved to win. There are fond memories of him on the field and he will continue to inspire the current generation of Essequibo cricketers, even though he has left for the shores of eternity.
Yours faithfully,
Elroy Stephney
