Guyana Jaguars’ Head Coach Esuan Crandon has said he is thankful at being adjudged winner of the prestigious Coach-of-the-Year Award following the National Sports Commission’s (NSC’s) Awards Ceremony held on Tuesday evening in the Savannah Suite of the Pegasus Hotel.
The former Guyana pacer has been among those honoured for their roles in sports during the year 2017. Speaking with Guyana Times Sport on Thursday, Crandon said it was a privilege to win such a prestigious award.
“I’m excited that I won the Coach-of-the-Year Award, because I worked really hard over the years. So I just want to thank God for giving me the health and strength; as well, (I want to thank) my wife and kids, and the Guyana Cricket Board for giving me the opportunity to coach since 2012,” said the former pacer.
A 4-time record winning Regional 4-Day coach, Crandon has been a key figure in the team’s progress ever since taking up the role back in 2012. The Guyana Jaguars recently retained their 4-Day title for yet another season, after putting in a stellar performance in the 2017/18 season. They easily lifted the championship title which they reclaimed some three years ago.
Esuan Crandon (right) receiving his award from Uttamkumar Isurdeen
Regarding the award, Crandon said it was a tribute to not only his hard work, but that of the team, and members of the coaching staff, who made the team’s success possible.
“I also want to give credit to all the players who helped to develop the team, (especially) Coaches like Rayon Griffith, Clive Grimmond, Colin Stuart, Julian Moore and Coach Hyles, along with our supporters,” he declared.
Guyana has dominated the Regional 4-Day scene, winning the Professional Cricket League 4-Day title every season since its inception back in 2013; and the Berbician has been responsible for blooding some of Guyana’s top tier players, who have been the core of the national senior teams.
Crandon says he’s “more motivated than before”, and “wants to work harder for even more success this season” as the Guyana team prepare to embark on their 5th consecutive title defence during the 2018/19 PCL Season.
Individual success has also come under Crandon’s tenure, as a number of senior and junior players who have been doing well for the Jaguars eventually went on to play for the West Indies at various levels and formats. This was further realized when Guyana’s U-19 Team copped the Team-of-the-Year Award for winning both the 50 Over and the 3-Day titles, as well as churning out 5 Windies U-19 players.
The award-winning coach has said he is also very proud of the achievements of the U-19 Team, and hopes that members would go on to make more significant impacts as their careers progress.
“I’m happy for the U-19 Team. (The wins were) well-deserved, because they played well to win the 50 Overs and 3-Day tournaments. Congratulations are in order for Julian Moore, and (for) the Board, who laid the structure for the team to do well; so it’s a good feat for them (U-19 Team),” he declared.
