– says former WICB CEO Stephen
Camacho at GCA awards ceremony
By Calvin Roberts
Shemroy Barrington of Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) was adjudged best batsman and Georgetown Cricket Club’s (GCC) Ricardo Jadunauth, best bowler, of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) Cellink Plus first-division cricket competition when that body held its awards ceremony at the GCC pavilion Friday night.
Also receiving awards for their exemplary performances during the GCA’s 2007 season were Clinton Collins of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) and Deryck Koulen. Past executives of the GCA were also honoured.
Collins was adjudged best bowler in the second-division competition and received the Clyde Butts trophy while Gandhi Youth Organization’s Koulen, took away the Stephen Camacho trophy for being adjudged the best batsman in the same division.
Dexter Solomon of the Guyana National Industrial Corporation (GNIC) Sports Club, was adjudged the most promising wicket-keeper and received the Ivor Mendonca award, whilst national under-19 captain Steven Jacobs won the Roger Harper award for being the most promising player.
Jacobs’s club, Malteenoes Sports Club, won the President’s Trophy for being adjudged Club-of-the-Year.
Prior to the presentation of prizes former West Indies player, Stephen Camacho, shared with the gathering which included Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, president and vice president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh and Alvin Johnson respectively and chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Conrad Plummer, the knowledge and history of cricket in Georgetown.
“Wherever the British Empire spread in the 19th century, cricket and tea (later to inextricably intertwine in the traditions of the game) were principal exports and took root in most colonies, not least in Guyana and the West Indies,” Camacho stated.
He added: “For cricket to develop and flourish, there was the need to establish a central administration to organize the game. All over the world, this mantle generally fell to the senior established club which had the necessary experience and resources. In Guyana, this was assumed by the Georgetown Cricket Club and while the writ of cricket administration extended over the entire country, in reality, because of the lack of communication and finance, this was concentrated in Georgetown and its environs.”
Camacho had the distinction of representing the West Indies in 11 test matches averaging just above 29 with a highest score of 87 against England at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad in 1968.
He served as the then GCBC representative on the then West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) from 1977 to 1981 before taking up the post of Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the WICB from 1982-2000 before tendering his resignation.
“I am not one to gratuitously promote the past over the reality of the present, but it is clear that our players are missing out. I am also more than aware that cricket, like life, is constantly in a state of flux, and of the necessity to keep up with current trends.
“It must however be emphasized that first principles never change and I shall seek to illustrate with two examples.
“Firstly, you cannot be a great batsman without a great defence. Kanhai (Rohan) and Richards (Sir Viv) played shots unknown to ordinary mortals, but this was complemented by a water-tight defence. To be great, you have to be a complete player.
“Secondly, the great England opening batsman Jack Hobbs, who scored 197 first class centuries and is one of Wisden’s five cricketers of the 20th Century, always advised young batsmen that footwork was the foundation of batsmanship,” said Camacho.
Likening cricket to a pyramid, Camacho noted that the foundation, in particular the schools and clubs, had weakened and was now under threat with grave consequences for the future.
A lack of direction, little or no money or facilities have led to a waning of interest in the primary schools not only of Guyana, but the West Indies, he declared.
“The clubs, so vital a link between schools’ cricket and the game at first-class level, are also largely in decline. The major factors being uninspiring leadership, failing finances, reduced facilities and diminishing membership. These factors are further compounded by the challenge of alternative sports and competition for leisure time.”
Dr. Anthony in his brief remarks, highlighted the fact that cricket was undergoing a change over the years.
“One look at Twenty20 cricket and you would see the impact on the game. Even the technology that is being used can highlight the changes the game is going through. Cricket is now big money and that has taken an enormous effect on the game, making the challenge one has to face with the sport an enormous one.”
He continued: “A strong developmental programme is needed for the game here in Guyana in and out of school. Intelligent cricket is needed and this is the challenge before us. We have to educate our young cricketers who are interested in the game and we can only do so if we have a vision. If we do not have such vision and the leadership to go with it, we will be stagnant at the bottom of the cricketing ladder.”
President of the GCA, Bishwa Panday informed the gathering on the achievements of the association during his address whilst retired Chief Justice, Aubrey Bishop, moved the vote of thanks on behalf of the recipients.
