35 youths graduate from first ever Upper Corentyne/Brian Ramphal Cricket Academy

Aug 24, 2019 Sports

The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association on Wednesday last successfully concluded their first ever Brian Ramphal Cricket Academy at the Scottsburg Cricket Ground in Corriverton. A total of thirty five youths drawn from Clubs between No. 43 Village to Moleson Creek attended the Academy, which attracted support from overseas based Guyanese Brian Ramphal, the Berbice Cricket Board, Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club and the Corriverton Business Sector.

The UCCA Academy Class pose with their Coaches.

BCB President Hilbert Foster attended the first day of the Academy and hailed the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association as a role model organisation, which is leading a cricketing revolution in the area. The Upper Corentyne Cricket Association Executives were described as hard working, dedicated, honest and visionary with special mention being made of President Dennis D’Andrade, Vice President Sydney Jackman and Secretary Lakeram Latchman along with Executives Mr. Mentis, Mr. Victor and Mr. Balram. Foster, who was making his 48th visits to the Sub-association since his election last year, urged the cricketers to take full advantage of the opportunities being presented to them at the Academy.
The Berbice Cricket Board, he stated was investing heavily in youths as it wants to continue the Ancient County’s rich legacy of producing outstanding players. The legacy of John Trim, Rohan Kanhai, Basil Butcher and others are being kept alive by Devendra Bishoo, Romario Shepherd, Shimron Hetmyer, Kevlon Anderson, Anthony Bramble, Isiah Thorne, Rampersaud Ramnauth, Shemaine Campbelle, Shabika Gajnabi and that the Berbice Cricket Board was planning for the next generation of players. He urged the players to put into practice what they have learnt, to research the history of the Game and to seek advice from the older generation of players. He committed the Berbice Cricket Board and Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club, MS to assisting all of the youths to fulfill their full potentials on the cricket field and in the classroom.
Vice President Sydney Jackman, the former Guyana First Class Player hailed the Brian Ramphal Cricket Academy as another red letter day in the history of the Sub-association and hailed the outstanding work of the Foster led Berbice Cricket Board. Jackman stated that the main objective is to return Upper Corentyne Cricket Association to its former glory when it won several National Titles in the 1990’s with players like Bhim George. Coaches Leslie Solomon and Delbert Hicks both praised the discipline and positive attitude of the youths. Solomon urged the youths to daily practice and stated that he was delighted that Berbice would once again be playing Two-Days First Division Cricket as it would assist players to be more focused. Several classroom lectures were done by retired Head Teacher Clement Edwards on Topics such as Drug Abuse, Personal Discipline and the Importance of Education.
Vittori Latchman was named the Overall Best Batsman, Salim Khan the Best Spinner, Trevon Sukhu the best Fast Bowler and Ameer Shaw the Best Wicketkeeper. Five of the Most Promising Players also carried home Educational Materials and school bags. Three other players also received water pitchers, compliments of the Rose Hall Town Youth& Sports Club, MS. All of the thirty five players carried home Certificates of Attendance, while the Upper Corentyne Cricket Association also recognised the hard work of the two coaches.