Universal Sports continue to gear young sportsmen

National Under-17 cricketer Ryan Rajmangal and national Under-20 football player Lumumba Hinds were the latest beneficiaries of sporting gear and sports supplements compliments of Universal Sports.

Rajmangal received a pair of Gray Nichols batting gloves and a pair of Gray Nichols batting pads while Hinds received a pair of Adidas football boots and an Adidas football uniform.

Apart from the sporting equipment, both players were also the recipient of one month’s supply of sports supplements.

Proprietor of the establishment, Andrew Budhan, presented the equipment to the two athletes and stressed the importance of members of the business community aiding the development of sports.

Budhan has in recent times made similar contributions to cricketer, footballer and golfers.

He told Stabroek Sports that his progress as a young cricketer was hampered by the financial inadequacies of his family and this had motivated him to not only open the sporting gear store but to assist young, talented athletes who needed help in acquiring equipment.

“I came from very humble beginnings, growing up in Wales on the West Bank of Demerara and coming from a poor family I couldn’t afford to buy equipment and come to Georgetown to play for the clubs.

This hampered my success as a cricketer and it has motivated me to start this store and price goods at an affordable rate for athletes as well as try to assist as much as I can, by giving to the young sportsmen and women in need,” he said.

Budham is also the exclusive sponsor of the 2006 golf Champion Avinash Persaud, who will be competing at the Trinidad Open Golf Champ-ionships on March 6.

This is the second time that 17-year-old Hinds has benefited from the generosity of Universal Sports after his coach Gordon Braithwaite sought assistance last year.

On the first occasion, he received a football, a pair of shin pads and a pair of football hose.

The Beacon FC midfielder expressed his gratitude for the continued support from Universal Sports. He said he had participated in the Digicel Kick Start football Clinic and added that he would be playing in the Georgetown Pepsi Cup.

Rajmangal plays for the Everest cricket club and is currently in training for the Guyana U-19 TCL squad. He is an opening batsman for the Everest Cricket club where he plays first division cricket.