The Albion Community Centre Cricket Academy officially commenced on Monday, July 8, and will be held for six days until Saturday, July 13.
Its opening ceremony was graced by the presence of West Indies player Devandra Bishoo, its official sponsor, and Guyana Jaguars player Gudakesh Motie.
At that opening ceremony, Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) President, Hilbert Foster,
said he was happy to see that Bishoo, who sponsored this academy, was giving back to the cricket club that had made him a West Indies player.
Devandra Bishoo and Gudakesh Motie at the opening ceremony
Foster also said he is happy to see the Albion Cricket Club continuing to invest in cricket in Berbice. He said the BCB would play a role in assisting these youths’ development by providing two coaches under the BCB coaching programme.
“As soon as the weather suits cricket, the BCB will also (host) an Under-13 tournament for these youths,” Foster disclosed.
Foster informed that the Albion CC has produced Test cricketers, and this academy has been an important process in their achievement.
The BCB boss also donated trophies, educational materials and six cricket balls to assist Albion CC during this six-day cricket academy.
BCB President Hilbert Foster making presentation to Albion CC (Brandon Corlette photos)
Chairperson of the opening ceremony, Orvin Mangru, also encouraged the youths to use to their advantage this academy, wherein they will learn a lot in regard to cricket.
Acting Vice President of the Albion Cricket Club, Imtiaz Bacchus, charged the youths to develop great capacity for the mental aspect of cricket.
Emphasising the importance of technique and patience, he urged that batsmen play with a straight bat, and play each ball on the ground.
He told the young cricketers, “The likes of Narasingh Deonarine and Sewnarine Chattergoon played softball cricket in the streets, and hitting the ball in the air was prohibited, since it was a way to get out.”
Bacchus urged the youths to develop patience because, he said, 99% of the time, a batsman would get out hitting the ball off the ground.
Estate Manager Threbhowan Shiwprasad encouraged the youths to stay focused throughout this six-day programme.
West Indies leg-spinner Bishoo, who delivered the final remarks of the opening ceremony, said this programme is something he had passed through.
He urged the youths to bring their friends out to benefit from this six-day academy, and charged the youths to enjoy every moment of their childhood, and remain disciplined and focused in the process.
The six-day programme includes interactive sessions, lectures on the importance of physical fitness, and outdoor activities. National players from the Albion Cricket Club will conduct these sessions, among whom are Devandra Bishoo, Gudakesh Motie, Veerasammy Permaul and Anthony Bramble.
There will be sessions on basic Mathematics with Yamanie Algoo, motivational sessions with David Brijbukan, English classes with Omanauth Outar, and public speaking sessions with Joshua Harrichand.
The youths will also be provided with information on the importance of food and nutrition, etiquette, and captaincy/leadership conducted by Veerasammy Permaul and Miss Angela Haniff.
Lunch will be provided daily during this 6-day programme.
The Albion CC is led by President Vemen Walter. It won the Guyana Cricket Board’s (GCB’s) Club of the Year award in 2017 (most recent), and has produced five Test players for the West Indies.
