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Education Minister urges participants to utilize knowledge gained
As ECCB Academy concludes
Fifty-two teenage cricketers yesterday graduated from the 10th annual East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) Cricket Academy, which concluded yesterday at Lusignan.
Education Minister Shaik Baksh, ECCB president Bissoondyal Singh, and Coordinator of the academy Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis were among the main speakers as the Academy came to a successful end.
The participants proudly display their certificates after the programme concluded.
Baksh urged the participants to utilize the knowledge gained during the two-week period and advised them to share it with fellow students and members of their respective communities.
The Minister said the diverse topics that were discussed during the Academy fit neatly into his ministry’s mandate to produce well-rounded individuals from the school system.
Apart from the fundamentals of cricket, the participants which included four females, were lectured on Road Safety, Drugs and Sport, the Dangers of Tobacco, Food and Nutrition, Leadership and Sportsmanship, HIV/Aids and Teenage Pregnancy, Social Etiquette and Grooming, Discipline, and Sports Injuries.
“It’s a well-rounded programme with very relevant topics and I want to salute the ECCB for choosing these topics,” Baksh observed. “We want to produce well-rounded individuals and academies like this will aid that process. I would like to see the other cricket boards hold programmes like these, which will help to mould our youngsters. It’s necessary if we are to develop.”
He commended the ECCB for ‘walking the walk’ and not ‘talking the talk.’ “This is tangible; this is realistic and you must be commended for a great job.”
Baksh added that he was very impressed by the four youngsters, who displayed maturity, eloquence and bravery while delivering their impressions of the 10-day activity.
ECCB president Bissoondyal Singh expressed thanks to the facilitators for giving their precious time to “help mould the minds of the young ones.” He urged the participants to aim high and strive for excellence in their future endeavours.
“Put what you have learnt into practice. Go into your schools and communities and preach what you have learnt; that’s all part of your development. You were very fortunate to be part of this programme, so share the knowledge you have gained,” Singh advised.
He also lauded the parents for making “a precious investment” by sending their young ones to engage in such a meaningful activity.
Coordinator Robert ‘Pacer’ Adonis, a former First-Class fast bowler, said the participants responded well to what he described as “a well structured programme.” He stated that apart from the practical and classroom sessions, the youngsters were equipped with handouts to keep for future reference.
Adonis also expressed gratitude to all the facilitators, but reserved special mention for Demerara Inter-County cricketer Kavita Yadram, and coach Hardeo Sattaur, who has been with the academy since its inception. Sattaur played an integral part in this year’s academy by performing the coaching duties, but had to leave midway through the activity to take up residence overseas.
Isha Wilson, Mahendra Persaud, Darren Marks, and Stephan Andrews were the participants who made presentations on behalf of the group of 2011, and they all expressed pleasure at being part of the activity.
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