7th annual ECCB Academy launched at Lusignan

Aug 12, 2008 Sports

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– Sports Minister delivers inspiring address

By Sean Devers
Regarded by many as one of the most vibrant and down to earth local Parliamentarians, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Dr Frank Anthony yesterday delivered another inspiring address as the East Coast Cricket Board’s seventh annual Cricket Academy was launched at the Lusignan Community Centre.

The Academy, which caters for 80 teenagers from Secondary schools and clubs on the East Coast of Demerara, concludes on August 22 and aims to instil in the youngsters the value of sportsmanship, leadership and education, the dangers of substance abuse and attitudes required to pursue a career in cricket.

The participants, which include three females, were told of the history of West Indies cricket on the opening day after the conclusion of a well organised opening ceremony.

Dr Anthony told the gathering which included Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Vice-President Malcolm Peters and Chairman of the national selection panel Claude Raphael, that while 20/20 cricket is the ‘in-thing’ at present and attracts large crowds, if administers and players only focus on this type of the game it will be to the detriment of ‘real cricket’ or two innings matches. He opined that it is important to find a balance between Test cricket and entertaining cricket (20/20).

“The history of Guyana’s cricket is also very important. If we don’t know our heroes we will never understand the legacy that we have to live up to.

Cricket was used to develop West Indians socially and economically and the pride of playing for the region inspired early West Indian players.

It seems that when we were playing for pride we did a lot better than now that we are playing for money,” Dr Anthony said.

The well informed Minister, who evidently did lots of research on his topic, said that he was pleased that the organisers had decided to look at two areas; the game and healthy life style.

“Some people feel that because cricket is regarded as our national sport anyone can just go out onto a field and bowl and bat and do well. However, that’s not the case.

While a few might be able to gain success from natural talent, the majority will need to learn various techniques and practice hard.”

The Government official also told the youngsters to find a balance between their cricket and academics if they wanted to become well rounded individuals.

“Many youths go to extremes, all school or all sports. You have to strike a balance if you want to become a successful person.

Being able to think is very important since cricket is not just a physical sport,” said Dr Anthony who took time out from his busy Carifesta preparations schedule to be at Lusignan yesterday.

Anthony opined that if everyone learns the techniques and become fully fit they will all be at the same level. The difference in pressure situations, he says, will come from their mental training.

“Cricket is also a mental game. You have to think under pressure, learn about the other team and plan how to exploit their weaknesses. The mental aspect of the game is many times missing in our young cricketers and Academies such as this one is a good starting point,” Dr Anthony said.

The Minister informed that talks are being held with the West Indies Cricket Board concerning a regional Academy and national Academies in the various territories, and hopes that Academies can be set up in every area in Guyana. He also urged the GCB to focus more on cricket in the Hinterland areas.

“In the (Guyana National) Stadium we have one of the best facilities in the Caribbean and now that we also have lights we must think how we can utilise the venue.

Accommodation can be provided at the Stadium and in a year’s time this could be the ideal venue for our national Academy,” Dr Anthony disclosed.

The medical Doctor also stressed that it was time our coaches and players utilise technology at all levels and emphasised that the use of drugs in Sports is an important issue.

“It is very good to see this (drugs and sports) as one of the topics since using substances to enhance your performance will not only embarrass yourself but your country also.

Many sporting associations in Guyana do not know all of the prohibited drugs and I am pleased that you are teaching the youths what not to do,” Dr Anthony said.

The Minister also lamented that too youths are becoming obese because they are not playing outdoors enough.

“Instead of playing outdoor games, they sit in front of a computer and twiddle their fingers. This will not get you fit.

Many of you like fast foods, you have to watch what you eat and exercise,” said Dr Anthony who commended the ECCB for being able to mobilise the resources to run off this Academy.

Singh said he hoped the ECCB will be able to work closely with the Sports Ministry and feels that local cricket administrators are obligated to play their part in ensuring our young players are properly equipped to contribute to society in their chosen field.

The ECCB top man, who chaired the proceedings, revealed that Corporate Guyana played an important role in helping to finance the Academy and closed his address by quoting from the great Mahatma Ghandi who said that in every worthwhile accomplishment there is a beginning, a struggle and a victory.

Yesterday’s beginning was the start of what should be an edifying and rewarding journey in their cricket careers for the enthusiastic participants.

ECCB Vice President Daveteerth Anandjit gave the vote of thanks while Peters also congratulated the ECCB for the staging of its Academy.

Classes in the two-week Academy will deal with a wide variety of cricket related topics and will be held from 09:25hrs to 14:30hrs every Monday to Friday until August 22.

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