By Marlon Munroe
The East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) cricket academy wrapped up yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence with Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) President Chetram Singh urging the participants to continue developing their game and to stay focussed.
Singh also lauded the EBDCA for resuscitating the programme which was missing from the board’s calendar of events for the last 10 years. He advised the aspiring cricketers to not only settle for representing the East Bank but Guyana and ultimately the West Indies.
Singh said:“I want to congratulate you participants for making yourself available during the summer and being a part of this academy.
“But what you would have learnt here, you must share it and continue to play the game as you leave here.”
Director of Sport, Neil Kumar told the audience that the National Sports Commission (NSC) will do all it can to develop cricket on the East Bank of Demerara.
Additionally, he said that he will ensure that some time in the future that the National Stadium is opened for the cricketers of the East Bank to use in their drive to develop their game.
Another promise Kumar made at the closing of the eight-day clinic was that he will work with coaches in the area to have camps of this nature three times a month in an effort to keep youngsters actively involved in sports.
Meanwhile, recently re-elected president of the EBDCA, Rohan Sarjoo told the participants to remain focussed.
He declared that he will ensure that cricket is played regularly.
The major objectives were to instill the basic cricketing skills required to be a professional athlete; making the youngsters aware of the finer points of the game including the rules and etiquette required for the proper conduct of the game; teaching them the importance of education, nutrition and fitness and the general values of good sportsmanship.
Through this camp, Stabroek Sport learned that the EBDCA is to form a database of young, aspiring cricketers to groom them to represent the association at the under-15, 17 and 19 levels. The programme will be designed to cater to the theoretical and practical aspects of the game along with important life skills.
Former West Indies player and coach Roger Harper will be one of the persons who will be assisting in these programmes.
The camp was fully sponsored by several businesses within the East Bank Demerara area and Georgetown, including AFS Shipping, Royal Woodworking, King’s Jewellery World, Steve’s Jewellery, Sherry’s Taxi and Sterling Products Limited.
