GCA holds ‘Building Sportsmen to be competent leaders’ workshop

Jan 03, 2010 Sports

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Sessions for U-19 players today at GCC

By Sean Devers
The Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) yesterday launched their 2-day ‘Building Sportsmen to be competent leaders’ workshop at the GCC pavilion and both GCA President Alfred Mentore and Guyana Cricket Board President Chetram Singh spoke to the gathering with included former Test off-spinner Roger Harper and U-15 cricketers from city clubs.
Yesterday’s workshop included teaching the youths about the off-the-field aspects of their cricket development like leadership skills, interacting with the media and understanding tactical situations.
The workshop concludes today with a session for under-19 players from clubs in Georgetown and once again Harper will be one of the facilitators.
Mentore, a former Guyana under-19 batsman, said he was happy to be with friends and colleagues who share a deep concern for the development of cricket.   “For some time now we (cricket administrators) have observed that a number of our young players seem distracted and often do not share the passion of the previous generation. At the recent GCB Annual Awards, Dr. Hilaire, CEO of WICB, mentioned that many of today’s youths were becoming consumed with the images and lifestyles that they see on television and many have lost touch with their culture and sense of nationalism,” Mentore said.
The GCA head told the audience that Hillaire said this generation of cricketers demonstrates little appreciation for our history and legacy and seems more motivated by money and less by intrinsic values.
“We can all agree without debate that these statements somewhat reflects the current state of our cricket, not just regionally but right here in Guyana.  However, I believe that this workshop being launched here today is a great first step on the road to halt and ultimately reverse these negative trends. The workshop will address such areas as leadership, conflict resolution, examination of self and also seek to impart necessary life skills to participants,” Mentore said.
He said many of our young cricketers come from diverse backgrounds which often impacts their outlook on life and added that some of the challenges faced by these youngsters are crime, unemployment, HIV and other social unacceptable ills.
“As a responsible Association with a clear mandate to look out for the well being of its members we must act.  For too long Clubs, Associations and Boards have been comprised of many inactive members who only show up when it serve their self interest. By my estimation 10% of the members do 90% of the work. These bodies must take a strong stance against this behavior. It should be reminded that leadership is service to society and not to ourselves.
We at the level of the GCA will be moving beyond organizing matches and administering cricket to taking an active role in the personal development of our young cricketers,” Mentore added.
Mentore said during his playing days the structure did not allow for guidance on personal development.
“Recognizing this deficiency and now in a position to make a change, remedial action must be taken. When I assumed the presidency some 12 months ago, I mentioned about creating a marriage between cricket and education, creating mentorship programmes and greater private sector involvement in the development of our cricket and cricketers.  In relation to the latter we have already secured commitments from a commercial bank to fund a literacy programme and a top local beverage company to design a specialized training and coaching programme. You will hear more on these developments in the coming months,” Mentore explained.
Mentore feels that for our cricket as a nation to be elevated to the next level, one Association or one Board cannot go at it alone and informed that yesterday’s workshop was a collaboration between the GCB, Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) and GCA.
Mentore thanked Henry Charles of CYP and GCB President Chetram Singh for coming on board. He also thanked Goodwood Racing Service, M. Beepat & Sons and Lifetime Real Estate for their assistance.
Singh said sport is no longer a hobby but a multi-billion dollar Industry. “In the same manner for purposes of productivity and enhanced performance, Corporations provide opportunities for workers to sharpen their technical and soft skills, so too must the sports fraternity not only provide young sports persons with the requisite technical skills but most importantly the soft skills that will boost their self awareness, consciousness and confidence,” the WICB Director noted.
He said In essence the task of Sports Association and their partners such as governments is not merely to produce technically sound sport persons but rather to cultivate competent leaders who are technically sound persons.”
“The youth cohort from whence we recruit our pool of sports persons are impacted in a most disproportionate manner by various development challenges such as unemployment, crime and violence.
HIV and AIDS and other social and economic marginalization. In the circumstance we can no longer sit idly and expect that lady luck will deal us a fair hand, by sending to our recruitment and training camps young persons who are immune to or not directly affected by these challenges. We have a solemn responsibility to build strategic alliances with government and other partners to provide our young people with critical life copying and leadership skills,” Singh said.

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