Barbados Advocate article.
Bridgetown, Barbados - Mohammed Mohamad in Association with the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation launched the Twenty/20 Goodwill Tape-ball Cricket Match, which is scheduled to be played at Passage Road Grounds, St. Michael, at 6:00pm on Friday, 31 October.
At a press conference held at the conference room of the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and Innovation last Saturday, 25 October. Mr. Lashley said it was Mr. Mohommed Mohamad who came to him with the idea of holding this match. He said that he was very pleased to be associated with the event, while at the same time aiding and supporting an outstanding origination such as the Barbados Cancer Society.
Mr. Mohamad, who himself is a Muslim, and is the Horseman’s Liaison/Racing Division Officer of the Barbados Turf Club (BTC), said that he came up with the idea due to the BTC having a little team that has been playing tape ball cricket for many years, and he felt it would be good to have a little comrade with other teams, and at the same time raise funds for the Barbados Cancer Society. He said that since he is associated with the BTC and being a Muslin, he thought it would be good to have a BTC team oppose a Muslin Team, and hence the match on Friday.
Mohammed said that he was very pleased to have the Barbados Cancer Society on board, as he and all of us know that cancer can affect anyone or your family or friends.
He said that it was back in September when he approached the BTC CEO/Secretary Mrs. Rosette Peirce and she immediately gave it the okay, and from there he approached Mr. Lashley, and again he was all for it. Next he approached Dr. Cooke-Johnson OBE JP, and she gave it her full support.
Mr. Mohommed said that he was also very grateful to Mr. Jerry Blenman, Director of the National Sports Council for his assistance in making this event possible.
Dr. Cooke-Johnson said she was pleased to be able to be at the press conference, and it was a first for her of such an original fund raiser.
She said the match will show the community how great it is for all sectors of our society to come together as one and do work that is of benefit. She said that charity and altruism are great examples for our youth.
Mrs. Cooke-Johnson said they are raising funds for the Barbados Cancer Society, particularly its Men’s Program, and Men against cancer, which is often overlooked.
She said it was the genius of Mr. Mohammed that brought them there, along with the BTC, Mr. Lashley and the Muslin Community and the Barbados Cancer Society. She looks forward to well patronized match, full of good spirit and show off of talent.
Mrs. Cooke-Johnson had high praise for Mr. Mohammed Mohamad who she says has held two race days with funds for the Society, he makes a regular Independence donation to the Society, and is now bringing this original and interesting cricket match, of which the funds will go towards the Early Detection Clinics, so that the early detection of men’s cancers can be expanded.
The Barbados Cancer Societies President, went on to say, advertising and awareness can be increased, as we have to reduce the number of late diagnoses, and the high mortality of prostrate cancer, which is double any other type of cancer.
Mr. Mohmad Pandor, thanked all those who have come on board with Mohommed Mohamad and the Hamilton Lashley Foundation, and looks forward to a big crowd to witness what looks to be a very competitive match.
First Published In The Barbados Advocate.