A few of Guyana’s brightest youth cricketers yesterday benefited from the one day seminar dubbed”Xercise” which was part of the United Nations Day of Sports for the Development of Peace programme held at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Facilitated by former youth cricketer Royston Alkins, Adult Mentor of Youth Empowerment Organization (YEO), the seminar highlighted the importance of academics and sports as it relates to a holistic outlook of uniting people from all walks of life. Alkins, during his speech, explained that as a youth player who came through the Under-15/17/19 levels, it was important to realize that despite the wealth of talent one might possess, everyone is not tailor-made for the long-run, hence young players should realize the importance of education as it provides a solid foundation before and after a career in sport.
He used the reactions by fans following the West Indies recent World Cup T20 wins by the male and female team, as vivid examples of how sport unites people of all walks of life, adding that most times it is sports which allows people to forget about their problems.
Alkins also spoke of back when he was a young player who learnt first-hand that it was important to have friendship and amity in a sporting environment.
Present in the audience were West Indies U19 Vice-Captain Keemo Paul, his West Indian U19 teammate wicket-keeper/batsman Tevin Imlach along with owner of Chase’s Academic Foundation Henry Chase, national youth skipper and left-arm spinner Ashmead Nedd, batsman Joshua Persaud and others.
Special guest speaker, former Guyana and West Indies Captain Roger Harper, during his address to the young players, said that it was very significant to understand the roles that education and sport have been playing in society over the years.
Despite the West Indies etching their names in history by becoming the first team to win two T20 World Cup titles, Harper said that while the achievement was great for a team who has been through so much over the years, it is still important to remember that T20 is just one format and there is a need to allow the same momentum and discipline to over-spill into the Test and One Day International (ODI) arena.
The 53-year-old former West Indies coach also credited the performance by the West Indies U19 team who stunned the world a few months back when they defeated India in the final of the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) limited overs U19 World Cup. He congratulated the duo of Paul and Imlach who were both instrumental in their team’s success, adding that it was their performances in the U19 World Cup which was instrumental in the success of the men and women on Sunday.
In conclusion, Harper encouraged the youngsters present to keep embracing the sport they love and to make education a part of their careers while wishing the two West Indies youth players the best in their journey ahead, following their success at the highest level.
