Simon Naidu – RHTY&SC, MS Assistant Secretary at 17 years old

May 08, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....ary-at-17-years-old/

Youths in Guyana are often accused of not taking on responsibilities and of being uninterested in being involved in national development. Simon Naidu of Rose Hall Town on Sunday 30thApril, 2017 turned 17 years old and would also be writing 8 CSEC subjects this month but at his tender age, he is already serving as Assistant Secretary of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S and is proving to be a live wire and inspirational leader at Guyana’s leading youth and sports organisation. Naidu joined the RHTY&SC two years ago after moving from his home at Hampshire after the sudden death of his father.

He was a former member of the Albion Cricket Club but proudly stated that joining RHTY&SC was the best decision he has ever made as the Management of the Club motivates members to fulfil their full potential on and off the cricket field. The 5 ft 2 inches, Naidu, who dreams about cricket, stated that under the guidance of Coach Delbert Hicks his batting and his left arm spin has improved 100% since Joining the Club, while his fitness level has also greatly improved. His greatest impact on the RHTY&SC however has been his support of Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster who greatly admires his visionary thinking, proactive leadership and his ability to think on his feet.
Less than a month after joining the RHTY&SC, Naidu got involved in being a volunteer in assisting the experienced, Secretary and on several occasions was given responsibility of being in charge of the Club Office in the absence of the Secretary. He was soon actively involved in the planning of major Club activities like Annual Cricket Academy, Republic Bank Summer Camp, Scotia Bank Mash Parade, Beharry Say NO/Say YES Campaign, School Bags project, GUYOIL Traffic Education Campaign, Christmas Village and the Club’s massive cricket development programme which involves dozens of youths. Confident of Naidu’s leadership skills despite his tender age, Foster appointed him the Club’s Office Manager where he was responsible of the Club’s assets especially cricket gears and Club records.
At the Club’s biannual General Meeting in February 2017, he was elected unopposed as the youngest ever executive member of the RHTY&SC and currently serves as the Asst Secretary.  He stated that he was shocked at the confidence shown in him by the large Club membership. While at first he was worried with the duties, he has settled in nicely due to the encouragement of senior Club members like Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, Vice President Mark Papannah, Treasurer Shemaine Campbelle, Organising Secretary Keith Hicks and Asst Organising Secretary Robbie Kissoonlall. He disclosed that working along with Hilbert Foster is a special feeling as he is able to observe first-hand the high level of visionary leadership, organising skills and how to deal with stressful situations and deadlines.
As Asst Secretary, Naidu is directly responsible for organising all Club meetings, Club assets, Club internal records, like individual cricket performance, filing of documents, members personal information, Club correspondences and the Club’s Under 13 and Under 15 Cricket teams among other duties as directed by Management. He was recently appointed as Manager of the Under 13 team and is currently spearheading preparation of the Club’s 2017 magazine by conducting research for the Magazine’s Editorial Committee.
Naidu noted that joining the RHTY&SC was the best decision of his life as it has open pathways for him that was hard to imagine a few years ago. The RHTY&SC, he proudly stated is a family that is committed to be the best in everything they do and Club unity is very crucial. The multi-talented seventeen years old is also a former National Bhajan singing champion. He won the title at the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha organised 2013 Kala Ulsav. He was also a much in demand Bhajan singer at Hindu functions, but due to his duties at the RHTY&SC, he has eased performing. He currently plays for the Club at the Under 19 and Second Division levels. His role model and idols are Assad Fudadin, Hilbert Foster and England Test Captain Joe Root.
He credits his mother Michele for the role she has played in his life by being a wonderful parent who leads by example.