A 68-year-old dream finally came to fruition when the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh Centre of Excellence officially opened yesterday at La Bonne Intention (LBI) Community Centre.
The centre was built with the intention of providing housing for cricket teams that are unable to commute daily when cricket tournaments are held in Demerara. Additionally it is expected to provide training facilities for cricketers. The Chetram Singh Centre, named in honour of the long standing GCB President, contains 17 rooms, has hostel facilities, a training facility and a gym.
Singh stated that a facility of this type had been a dream of every board member since the board was constituted in 1942.
He spoke of the “era of guesthouses and hotels” that the board had experienced and noted that the cost of housing the cricketers and officials over the years has been a tremendous one. An assessment revealed that this has accounted for 80 % of the GCB’s annual expenditure, he said.
Singh stated that although the facility was long sought after, the lack of finances and the absence of an appropriate location proved to be two hiccups that continually impeded the board’s quest. However, in time these hiccups were quenched and theory has become a reality, he noted.
Singh also noted that the location of the facility emphasized the valuable link that exists between the sugar industry and cricket in Guyana.
Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony hailed the centre as one more technological step in Guyana’s pursuit of advancement in cricket. He stated that while Guyana has the talent, in the evolving 21st century talent alone cannot compensate on the international stage.
“Up until recently we did not use technology while our rivals have been using the technology,” Anthony stated.
Describing the GCB as historically being one of the best sporting associations in the country, Anthony noted that it had been an example to other sporting associations. He, however, noted that recently the GCB has not been performing commendably.
“The GCB has had bad press… unfortunately over the last couple of weeks their image has been tainted because of problems at the highest level,” Anthony stated, “and you cannot lead young people if the top cannot show discipline.”
The minister expressed his optimism that the executives will fix these problems. Further, he said that the rich legacy needed to be continued so that cricket could be restored to its position as a “gentleman’s game”.
GCB Secretary Anand Sanasie stated that cricket in Guyana was a product and like all businesses the GCB’s foremost agenda is to develop its product.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Robert Persaud said that the facility demonstrates the new role of GuySuCo in helping sports develop.
Persaud said that in spite of the industry’s deteriorating situation, GuySuCo will not “revisit” its role in supporting sports.
Speaking highly of the indoor training facility, Persaud said that with Guyana experiencing continuous climate change such a facility was necessary for the continued development of cricket.
“As we as a government adapt to climate change, the GCB and cricket in Guyana is adapting to cricket [and its] changes,” the minister said.