Latest update February 9th, 2025 1:59 PM
Latest News
- Gunmen rob money changer at America Street
- Couple dies in fire at Hydronie, EBE
- “Oil-rich Guyana is worse off from the very start”- Glenn Lall
- Terrence Campbell to remain member of oil money Investment Committee despite transparency concerns in use of revenues
- Trump freezes aid to South Africa amid spat over land expropriation law
Historic U-15 Cricket Academy opens
-25 junior cricketers to benefit
“It is groundbreaking, it’s pioneering, it’s historic and if you fail, it means that we’ve failed as well,” Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony told the gathering of junior players called to participate in the Sport Ministry / National Sports Commission (NSC) / Guyana Cricket Board (GCB)- organised Under-15 Academy which opened yesterday, at the National Stadium.
The launching also had in attendance Director of Sport Neil Kumar, GCB Acting President Bissoondial Singh, Administrative Officer of the NSC Gervy C. Harry, Coaches Orin Bailey, Daniel Richmond, Chitram Singh and Fitness Instructor Inga Henry.
Dr. Anthony speaking at the occasion said that it might not look like a historic one, but being the first of its kind to be held at the National Stadium, a world-class facility that also has provision for practice and bowling machines, it must be deemed as historic.
“We’ve always had this thought of creating an Academy so what you see us doing here today is quite historic and we intend to make it an annual feature,” Dr. Anthony disclosed.
He told the young aspiring cricketers that they are the first batch of U-15 players to participate in such a camp at the Stadium and the Ministry’s plan is to make them part of the memorabilia to be permanently stationed at the facility.
Members of the Organising team ( seated from left) Administrative Officer Gervy C. Harry, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Sport Minister Dr. Frank Anthony and Acting GCB President Bissoondial Singh with coaches and players yesterday.
Pointing out how disappointed he was to see just over half of the original list of twenty-five players selected by the GCB, the Minister urged the organisers to ensure that the Camp which is expected to run from July 13- August 7 has the full complement as previously planned.
He added that the four-week programme was just the beginning of a number of initiatives designed by the three parties. Dr. Anthony called on the youngsters to not only strive to achieve excellence on the field of play, but in the classroom as well.
“Cricket is not only for those with excellent skills, but also for those who are smart and could think strategically.”
He also touched on the promise made by the WICB sometime ago where it was stated that they were going to give the local stakeholders some US $300,000 to initiate an Academy, but to date no monies have been sent.
“That money has not arrived to date, but whether it comes or not, we have decided to go ahead with our plans,” Dr. Anthony mentioned. He reminded the players that only those who exhibit both academic and on-field skills would have the opportunity to move forward.
The Minister closed by adding that his personal view is that the programme will be a success and could become a model for others to emulate.
Kumar in his short address said that the Ministry and the NSC did engage in lengthy deliberations recently and a decision was made to play the leading role in the development of sports.
“We held several meetings with members of the WICB and the GCB with the aim of assisting in the development of the sport across the country and it was agreed that the Academy was a good way to start,” Kumar offered.
Kumar added that the Commission and the Ministry had decided to finance a meeting to discuss the Academy and to emphasise their seriousness, four members of staff was ordered to attend the discussions.
Among the other Resource Personnel earmarked to make presentations during the Programme are: Dr. Shanti Singh, who will speak about AIDS and Dr. Rovin Deodat, who will talk about communications.
The Programme is intended to teach the participants to become well-rounded individuals that will help them throughout life.
Bissoondial Singh called on them to make the best use of the opportunity that is being provided and to expect more projects of this nature. Singh, who was deputising for President Chetram Singh said that the programme is designed to lift the standard of the game locally and over the next four weeks, the players will be taught discipline, social etiquette among other life skills.
“I call on all of you not to let the opportunity go wasted, but instead take full advantage of it.”
The players would be housed at the National Gymnasium and travel to the Stadium for sessions daily, starting at 08:00 hrs.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
You cannot borrow your way to prosperity
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-The Jagdeo Doctrine is an absurd, reckless, and fundamentally shortsighted economic fallacy.... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
