Beacon Café has announced a year-long initiative to support a selection of Guyana’s most promising athletes across five sporting disciplines: cricket, cycling, swimming, table tennis, and football.

The Quamina and Carmichael Street business will provide selected athletes with a monthly stipend and other support forms while donating equipment to the Beacon Football Club.

The first beneficiaries of the programme have been named as: Shamar Apple (cricket), Zion Hickerson (squash and football), Colin Wong (table tennis), Briton John (cycling), and Raekwon Noel (swimming)

A commitment was also made to young table tennis player Malachi Moore.

Historically, support has been extended to table tennis players Jonathan Van Lange and Miguel Wong.

While the exact amounts of the monthly stipends were not disclosed during Monday’s launch ceremony, it was revealed that cricketer Shamar Apple would receive a complete cricket kit.

Beacon Café highlighted the potential of these athletes, describing Apple as a “budding cricketer with enormous potential”, Hickerson and Wong as “bright prospects” in table tennis, and John and Noel as “top of the field” in their respective sports.

Human Resources Manager, Arlene Huntley, emphasised the company’s commitment to developing strong relationships with athletes and sporting organisations.

“These sponsorships and partnerships can upgrade brand awareness and build stronger commitment to sport, building deeper relationships with athletes and sport organisations,” she added.

As part of the continued partnership with the Guyana Cycling Federation, the Beacon Café race will be held on April 6.

This event will further highlight the company’s involvement in supporting local sports.