By Marlon Munroe
The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) concluded its two-week cricket academy with president Bissondial Singh urging participants to utilize the new found knowledge for the development of self and more particularly for the development of the game.
The programme, in its eighth year, has also been described as quite resourceful by Steve Ramdass and Chris Hendricks, who completed the programme, in their joint speech outlining their experience.
Singh, who is also president of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) and vice president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) stated that the academy has been an important resource for potential cricketers on the East Coast of Demerara, which has 42 second division teams and 33 junior teams.
Singh emphasized, “I am delighted today with the role this annual cricket academy has been playing especially since it helps to steer youngsters away from the use of illicit drugs and other dangers. This academy aims to mould the leaders and cricketers of tomorrow and we hope that you all capitalize on the lessons learned over the past two weeks.”
Also speaking at the ceremony was president of the GCB Chetram Singh, who delivered the feature
address, and Director of Sport of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Neil Kumar. Both lauded the ECCB for conducting another successful programme, adding that GCB and the NSC would continue to assist in the development of the game at all levels. Kumar said that the participants were fortunate to have the opportunity to learn various aspects of the game and he hopes they would take the game more seriously. He reminded the young cricketers that they have learnt from some of the best coaches in Guyana, therefore the exposure they have received will be beneficial. He added, “You also had key persons to talk to you on key issues of life. I take it for granted that when you leave here that your parents will ensure that you continue playing cricket and also continue with the fitness exercises because if you are fit physically you can become better students in school.
“The challenge to the parents is to ensure that they continue to be involved in playing cricket because they have already chosen this path; they will have a more positive attitude and a genuine interest in cricket now so you should make good the opportunity.”
He suggested that next year the coordinators of the programme should have some female cricketers, more especially now that female cricket is gaining momentum around the world. He implored parents at the gathering to ensure that their daughters “have equal opportunities as their sons.”
He noted that since the cricket hostel is being constructed at La Bonne Intention (LBI) that will provide more impetus for cricketers at all levels. He stated that since cricketers will inherit the facilities he urged them to utilize it to the fullest.
The GCB president in his remarks commended the ECB for their sustained venture of hosting the academies as he has seen many other organizations that have tried but eventually folded.
Singh reminded the audience that while West Indies and Guyana’s cricket are rapidly taking a nose-dive, he would challenge participants to be become good cricketers so that they will in time help to rebuild the standard of the game that people have been accustomed to.
“In my mind the crop of cricketers that is gone already is hard to change them, it is hard to get much improvement from them but you youngsters are the ones that can lay the cornerstone for Guyana and the West Indies to be competitive again; competitive in the sense of doing well again.”
“I know that there are some talents in this gathering and the coaches that you had are capable and you should have learned a lot from them,” Singh added.
At the academy they focused on a wide range of topics from the history and laws of cricket, done by cricket commentator Edwin Seeraj, to HIV and teenage sex, food and nutrition and social etiquette.
