ShaquilleWilliams fulfilling 2 dreams at UWI

By Delvon Mc Ewan

Former national junior captain Shaquille Williams is fulfilling two dreams simultaneously as he reads for his Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Financing at the University of West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados as well as develop his cricket skills with hope of playing at the Regional First Class level.

Shaquille Williams (right) with South African spinner Imran Tahir
Shaquille Williams (right) with South African spinner Imran Tahir

Williams departed local shores in September, 2014, on a scholarship which offered him an opportunity to equip himself with a degree and play cricket.
Prior to his departure, the second year student was among the top local players contesting for a place in the national limited over squad.
He is currently a member of the elite team (top team) at UWI, where he is also vying to play at the Regional level as part of the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) team. However, he believes he narrowly missed out on selection for this year Super50 tournament but will be working hard to make the team in the near future.
According to Williams, he was optimistic of playing in this year’s Super 50 tournament but the selectors had other plans. Nevertheless, he sees disappointments as a means to change dissatisfactions into a positive energy, which is exactly what he plans to do this year. Focus more on his game and work towards making the CCC team next season.
The Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) player, who was a former U-15 and U-17 skipper, said his game has develop since he started training at UWI but there is still room for improvement. The all-rounder, who is bats in the middle and lower order and bowls off-spin, has done some technical work on his batting but seldom bowls in the UWI team.
Although his cricket is moving ahead, Williams said he is equally enthusiastic about his studies. He is by no means in a rush to return home to try and break into the Guyana Jaguars team, but if he is fortunate enough to be given an opportunity he will accept.
Subsequent to completion of his bachelor’s degree, the 22 year old will immediately seek to enter the master’s programme in his area of study before returning home.
To date CCC have already given Williams opportunities to play warm up matches against West Indies and English County sides Hamsphire and Nottinghamshire.