The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is praising the government for its 4.3B budget allocation for the sports sector adding that the government’s funding of the historic National Cricket Academy underscores its commitment to the sector.
“The Guyana Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the development and promotion of sports in Guyana with the historic 2023 budget allocation of 4.3 billion dollars for the overall development of national sports,” a release from the GCB stated.
“This unprecedented and substantial allocation is indicative of government’s comprehension of the benefits of sports to society and its intention to catapult sports to higher levels and professional standards,” the GCB added in a press release.
GCB President Bissoondyal Singh said his board was particularly pleased with the significant budget allocation for sports and more specifically for the National Cricket Academy. “The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) embraces this outstanding initiative by government which, in our opinion, seeks to build on the successes gained by the various sport disciplines and to effectively address and correct the gaps in the system that may otherwise hamper sports development,” he declared.
Singh said it was the collaboration between the GCB and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports which resulted in the establishment of the National Cricket Academy Programme which will witness 18 Academies across the three counties of Guyana feeding talented young players into the National Academy.
“It is apposite to note that this is the first time ever that a National Cricket Academy has featured in the annual budget considerations. In this regard, the GCB commends Minister Charles Ramson Jnr., for highlighting the essential need for the National Cricket Academy,” he added.
The Academy Programme, stated the release, is projected to develop rounded players in relation to fitness, technical development, mental toughness, diet, nutritional guidelines, lifestyle and mentorship exercises.
“The GCB is pleased to note that its programme for cricket development is aligned with that of Government and will soon yield the desired result of producing talented and professional players.
“To produce high-quality players on a sustainable basis, the GCB’s programmes from the youth stage to the senior stage will consist of activities designed for cricket development and performance assessment. Players will be given the opportunity to learn the game in a systematic manner that fosters both individual and team growth,” the release stated.
“The GCB is also pleased to note that there is a budget allocation for the restoration and development of community centre grounds which will contribute significantly to the development of cricket within communities,” stated the release.
Singh lauded His Excellency, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali for leading the way in these development initiatives.
“His hands-on leadership has seen progressive results in sports since his ascension to the highest office in Guyana including the securing of the CPL finals for three (3) years 2022 to 2024 and the introduction of Cricket Carnival in Guyana held during the CPL Guyana leg 2022,” he charged adding that it was clear that Ali, fully understood the requirements and dynamics involved in the administration of sports which allows him to project development initiatives that cater to an all-inclusive participation in sports and particularly activities for the disabled which was noted in 2022.
