Latest update November 15th, 2024 1:00 AM
GCB/ECB unearth talent with the establishment of academies
Some young cricketers going through their paces.
Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), in collaboration with the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) , has launched Six Cricket Academies in the Cinderella County of Essequibo and is expected to launch the seventh in East Bank Essequibo shortly.
Several area committees are currently benefiting from this venture, which is aimed to unearth talent and lift the standard of the game in those areas – Wakenaam, Leguan, Pomeroon, North and South Essequibo.
It was the vision of GCB President Mr. Bissoondyal Singh to establish these academies so as to give the youths an early opportunity to play cricket which can help them to develop at a faster rate and be prepared for bigger challenges at a younger age.
The academies caters for aspiring cricketers from age 7 to 17, both male and female and sessions are being conducted by coaches within the respective area Committees.
Sessions last for 10 to 12 hours weekly and students are being tutored on the basics of the game, discipline and cricket awareness.
Academy Coordinator Mr. Kumar Dass said due to the county geographical location, hosting cricket in Essequibo is very costly so acquiring sponsors is a tedious task. Hence, the academy is a step in the right direction to give all youths an early opportunity to develop themselves. He also lauded the coaches and urged them to work feverishly so as to make it successful and to achieve the desired outcome.
Mr. Dass also said the coaches are elated since the establishment of these academies – The county won the GCB Inter County Under -13 Championship and they are in producing a lot of Male and female national players. He also lauded ECB President Mr. Deleep Singh whom he said was instrumental in making this academy a success.
Head coach Nandkishore Andrews of Wakenaam said that he is pleased with the response from the youths. “I have seen more and more youths getting involved in the game. They are very willing to learn and have shown the type of discipline needed, “he added.
Andrews lauded the GCB and ECB for the initiative and said this is a positive step. “The academy here will not only instill discipline but will teach the youths the basic skills of the game”, he noted.
Coach Wayne Osborne stated that the academy has re-ignite the passion for the game among many. “The youths here have always been interested in cricket, but with the academy now up and running, I have seen an increase in the number of youths attending,” he said.
Osborne pointed out that the county is not short of talent, and the academy will help to hone the skills of the young cricketers.
Coach Forbes Daniels with decades of coaching experience also indicated that the youths are talented and with this venture, the coaches now have a bigger pool of players to work with. This increases competition among them, which will aid positively in their development,” he lamented.
One academy player, 13 year old off -spinner and right handed batsman Jathaniel Nurse said is an inspiration for all the young players, while another young cricketer Mikel Retemiah added that they are now better equipped to play the game at the junior level.
11 year old leg spinner Feyyad Baksh informed that he is happy for this initiative adding that the acadmey is very helpful and that he has learned a lot since its formation.
Among that the students are Golcharran Chulai, Justin Dowlin, Dennis Crossman, Bomesh Lall, Ethan Silas, Ravid Fredericks, Darwin Joseph, Andre Fraser, Harold Demattos, Mikel Retimiah, Loraine Williams and Feyyad Baksh.
The grassroots level of the sport is very important, and the GCB through the academy system is working to spread the game further and enhance its growth.
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