Over 50 young, aspiring cricketers, yesterday graduated from the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) 10th Cricket Academy held at the Lusignan Community Centre ground.
The two-week programme ended with Education Minister Shaik Baksh delivering the feature address while speeches were also delivered by ECCB president Bissoondyal Singh, and coordinator, Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis. Baksh implored the youths between the ages of 12-16 to make full use of the knowledge that they gained at the academy. He also encouraged them to share the information with their peers and other members of their respective communities. The minister also said that initiatives by the ECCB to develop well rounded individuals with the mix of academia and sport fit neatly into his ministry’s mandate.
Participants, which included four females, learnt about Road Safety, Drugs and Sport, the Dangers of Tobacco, Food and Nutrition, Leadership and Sportsmanship, HIV/Aids and Teenage Pregnancy, Social Etiquette and Grooming, Discipline, and Sports Injuries. “It’s a well-rounded programme with very relevant topics and I want to salute the ECCB for choosing these topics. We want to produce well-rounded individuals and academies like this will aid that process. I would like to see the other cricket boards hold programmes like these, which will help to mould our youngsters. It’s necessary if we are to develop,” Baksh emphasized.
Baksh also lauded the four youngsters, who “displayed maturity, eloquence and bravery while delivering their impressions of the 10-day activity.”
In addition, Singh thanked to the facilitators for volunteering their time to “help mould the minds of the young ones.” He also urged the participants to aim high and strive for excellence in their future endeavours.
“Put what you have learnt into practice. Go into your schools and communities and preach what you have learnt; that’s all part of your development. You were very fortunate to be part of this programme, so share the knowledge you have gained,” Singh advised.
The parents of the participants came in for praise from Singh, saying that they made “a precious investment by sending their young ones to engage in such a meaningful activity.” Adonis said that the participants responded well to the “well structured programme.” According to the former national fast bowler, apart from the practical and classroom sessions, the youngsters were given handouts to keep for future reference.
Adonis also expressed gratitude to all the facilitators and reserved special mention for Demerara Inter-County cricketer Kavita Yadram, and coach Hardeo Sattaur, who had been with the academy since its inception.
Sattaur, as was the case from the inception of the academy, played an integral part in this year’s programme but left midway through the exercise to take up residence overseas. Isha Wilson, Mahendra Persaud, Darren Marks, and Stephan Andrews were the participants who made presentations on behalf of the group of 2011. They expressed pleasure at being part of the activity.
