East Coast Cricket Academy launched at Lusignan

Jul 26, 2011 Sports

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Bissoon Singh wants cricket back in school curriculum

By Sean Devers

The 10th East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Academy was officially launched yesterday at the Lusignan ground and ECCB President Bissoon Singh told the participants, aged between 12-16 years old, not to waste the opportunity to become better individuals.
Also speaking at the well attended launching yesterday were Project Co-ordinator at the Ministry of Education Tota Mangar and Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry Phulander Khandai.
The Academy’s Coordinator is former Guyana fast bowler Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis, while a number of resource personnel including Roger Harper, Claude Raphael, Penelope Harris, Ronald Williams and Orin Bailey will conduct sessions at the two-week Academy which runs from 09:00hrs to 14:30hrs each day.
Singh, who is also performing the role of GCB Vice-President after the court put the newly elected GCB’s tenor on hold following an injunction filed by a Berbice Cricket Board executive, said that while the ECCB members have put a lot of time, energy and money into this year’s Academy, the parents of the participants have also made plenty of sacrifices to ensure their children attended.
“I don’t want in later years that you have a certificate on your wall to show your friends that you attended the East Coast Cricket Board Academy but that is all the proof you have because you never paid attention and did not learn anything. We want to ensure that each of you become better citizens who can make a contribution to our beautiful country,” Singh told the teenagers.
Singh told the youths to let their peers know what they learnt when they returned to school in September.
“Cricket now is not only a game but big business. Millions are invested and there are lots of job opportunities available. You can not only become well paid cricketers but Scorers, Umpires, Journalists, Commentators, Curators, Coaches and make a living from cricket,” Singh told the gathering that including both males and females.
Singh said he was happy that a representative from the Education Ministry was present and suggested that systems are put in place to have Friday afternoons reserved for sports in Schools as was the case in the 1980s when he attended school.
“Sports in Schools is very important and we (ECCB) are willing to help organize inter House and inter School cricket. As the Chairman of the Cricket Development Committee of the GCB I would really love to see cricket as a part of the school’s curriculum,” Singh said.
The ECCB President also told the students that everyday they will be tested even if they are not aware that they are being tested and implored them to pay attention and not waste their time and that of the lecturers and their parents or guardians.
Khandai represented the Minister of Education Sheik Baksh who was unavailable due to commitments at the Tashao’s conference which opened yesterday.
The PS said the place of cricket in schools and the country and Ministry of Education has formulated a strategic plan up to 2013 and possible 2015 which have academic matters but which also value the involvement of sports.
“Sports teaches you discipline, tolerance, understanding and unity and we don’t think sports in schools should be held on just Fridays since it might not be taken seriously and we want it to be a serious subject for the students,” Khandai.
“You are a part of a rich Legacy developed over 10 years by the East Coast Board. Bissoon Singh has invested a lot in Guyana’s cricket and although all is not well in Guyana’s cricket what the ECCB is doing is highly commendable and should be emulated by all cricket Boards and the Government. Lets forget the politics and all the unnecessary things that are damaging our cricket and work together to develop youths with Academies like this one,” Khandai said
He said that the next two weeks provide much opportunity for the students to become Ambassadors for their schools and communities. “You can become agents of change and think of all the hard work everyone has put in to make this available for you and work hard and pay attention,” Khandai noted.
Mangar lauded the ECCB for their wonderful programme and said that despite all the negatives in Guyana’s cricket they are going steadfastly along to fulfill its mandate to the cricket fraternity.
“The lack of funds and united support due to the fracture in the board has not prevented the ECCB from doing their job to develop cricket in their area and now that cricket has become a scientific game I want you to listen carefully to those who take the time out from their busy schedule to teach you. When you go on the field display your skills to the best of your ability since cricket now has so many incentives,” Mangar told the youngsters.
He said the performance of Brandon Chanderpaul in the regional under-15 tournament should be inspiration for thoes present yesterday and added that once they work hard they too can go on to represent their Country.
Singh thanked everyone for contribution, especially Coach Hardeo Sattaur who is migrating after being a part of the Academy from its inception. Sattaur is the father of National youth player Brian Sattaur and will leave Guyana mid-way through this year’s Academy. Adonis conducted the first session yesterday.

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