GCB presents over $800,000 in cricket gear to UDCA

May 08, 2022 Sports

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Kaieteur News
By Samuel Whyte
The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is moving full speed ahead to implement a number of programmes they have in the pipeline. Some will be dome simultaneously to make up for lost time.
Those were the sentiments of President of the GCB, Bissondyal Singh. Singh was speaking at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA) held recently at the Watooka Guest House in Linden, Region 10.
During the meeting over $800,000 worth of cricket gears were handed over to the UDCA for use by the organization for the development of the game in the Region.
The UDCA is the body responsible for the conduct of cricket and all cricket related activities in Region 10. The region encompasses a wide area that includes Linden, the Mining and Riverain areas of Berbice and Demerara and Essequibo.
Speaking at the ceremony Singh first congratulated the President of the UDCA and the Executive body on behalf of the GCB and DCB and wished them all the best in their term in office. Singh in a passionate address stated that Region 10 is close to his heart and he and his team of executives are happy to be among the gathering.
He mentioned the sacrifices the UDCA made along with the Cricket Stakeholders during the turbulent times of the previous GCB administration.
Stating that, “The UDCA stood the test of time they were treated badly, were ostracized, and must be applauded. Many efforts were made to destroyed and disband the body, but the UDCA prevailed.” He also mentioned the contribution made by the legendry Sir Clive Lloyd along with the gathering of some 7000 signatures to help get the Cricket Administration act to pass. That entire process took years to conclude include a number of court battles.”
The GCB he said is the parent body of cricket in Guyana and deals specifically with the County boards in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo. The UDCA is simply an Association that is affiliated to the DCB.
However, due to their resilience and the fact that they are now getting off the ground in comparison to the other Associations that have been around for years, they must be singled out for special assistance.
“You were stifled for over 11 years by the previous administrators and must be given some attention and the GCB is willing to assist”.
The President alluded to the hard work and enthusiasm of the members of the UDCA. Giving an example, Singh mentioned the recently concluded U-15 Inter Association Cricket competition in Demerara.
For the first time an Under-15 team was selected from the Region to participate in a cricket competition.
What was exemplary about that was the team was selected in two weeks. The players never played hardball Cricket but were eager to play. What is more commendable is that one of the members of the team was selected to participate in the ongoing Inter-County Competition.
Touching on the donation he said that it is being done to help the Association with gear and equipment needed for training sessions and to play matches. He urged the recipients to make full use of the items donated and look forward to seeing talented players coming from the Region.
He assured the UDCA that it will not be the last. The items donated include bats, pads, gloves, stumps, balls. The GCB will be moving to implement several activities including training and playing matches across the country. So, it will be prudent for the UDCA to have an adequate quantity of cricket gear and equipment to support the player development plans.
The President mentioned the rolling out of a massive school’s programme to be undertaken shortly with the training of 150 teachers from 75 primary schools, country wide. Region 10 he intoned, will be an integral part of that programme. Competition will commence at the end of the training sessions.
The GCB President commended the UDCA for having a number of females on board as a part of the executives. Such a move is a good sign, especially for youth and female cricket. Females are passionate in whatever they do, and they will help to stimulate the work of the Association. He challenged the Association to have teams ready for all other competitions including Under-17, Under-19, and females among others.
President of UDCA, Bradley Federicks, was a very elated man. He stated that the UDCA is extremely grateful for such an enormous contribution. Pointing out that the worth and value of the gear goes beyond its $800,000 price tag.
The UDCA president said that with the donation of the gear it will be easier for them to help administer the game across the Region. He promised that he and his executives will make full use of the items donated. The UDCA President stressed that his board would continue to create the environment for players to grow and took up GCB challenge to have teams prepared in time for all upcoming competitions.

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