West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chairman of selectors Clive Lloyd yesterday encouraged the Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) players who will be representing Guyana at the upcoming Regional youth tournaments to be proactive and diligent throughout their journey.
The two-time World Cup winning skipper delivered the feature address to the young players of the respective U15/17/19s of the club but moreso the members of the National U17 team that wings out to Trinidad and Tobago today for the Regional U17 competition, which bowls off tomorrow in Tobago.
During the brief handing over of gears ceremony, DCC President Alfred Mentore, noted that the moving from strength to strength by the young players and effectively the club is something they pride themselves on.
“Even up to now, we have our cricketers playing at the first class level, the Barnwell’s, the Griffiths, the Paul Wintz and others, so we still do feature at that level, but the nursery is very important for us to continue that agenda. DCC will continue to look after the nursery,” said Mentore.
Lloyd stressed to each player that personal progress is required for them to reach higher heights. He spoke of a time when he was not fortunate to play youth cricket or even had coaches to guide him, noting that the players should make full use of their coach Garvin Nedd and others who have played senior or international cricket.
He said that 12 players from one club being selected to represent their country at different levels is a “Testimony of good work” by the
club and its coaches, adding that education should not be neglected as it is vital for young cricketers to be able to assess game situations, dubbing cricket a “Thinking Man’s game”.
The former DCC and Guyana Captain also gave examples of how players should not be outsmarted or allow oppositions to out think them saying the West Indies have been losing matches over the years
because teams have simply been better in assessing certain situations better than them.
Team coach Nedd, urged his young players to focus on working along as a team and commended several of his players for the progress and hard work they put in to reach the level their currently while reminding them that former Guyana and West Indies skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan made his debut for Guyana at 15.
Former players Jamaal Hinckson and West Indies ex Test player Travis Dowlin both encouraged the players to reach for the sky and to be honest with themselves, take advice from teammates and coaches as well as working hard for their goals.
At the end of the ceremony bats, sneakers and gloves were given to the players compliments of Bish Pandy of P&P Insurance, Mentore of Lifetime Real Estate and other sponsors.
The 12 players that have been drafted into the various teams include U15- Ashmead Nedd, Alphius Bookie, Sachin Singh, Qumar Turrington and Robin Williams.
U17- Nedd, Sagar Hetheramani, Timothy Mclmont and Raymond Perez
U19- Kemo Paul, Sherfane Rutherford and Tevin Imlach.
