The Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) yesterday launched its 2019 Junior Summer Camp at the club’s pavilion. The two-week initiative was launched with a simple opening ceremony where the youngsters were given a charge by former national cricketer Dr. Vincent Adams, who implored them to embrace the nurturing nuances of the camp but to also find the right blend between sports and academics.He shared his life experience of making the national senior team as a teenager and could have forged a career with the West Indies but was forced to turn to academia following a vehicular accident. Dr Adams faced several hindrances thereafter to regain his spot on the national team and it was at this juncture that academics became a more prominent focus. “Athletics is so important. Even cricket,” Dr Adams said, adding, “But it is not only about cricket but also what happens as a player. What you do beside cricket and my experience has taught me not only that cricket gave me the discipline to be successful in life but it also provided me lots of opportunities and opened doors that not would have otherwise been open. “When I was 19, I made it on the Guyana national team. I played one season and got into an automobile accident the very next year. I thought my life had disappeared because my only ambition had been to play cricket for the West Indies.” Dr Adams, at that point, began to contemplate the unfortunate events that unfolded in his life and the possible end to his cricketing career. He then heeded the advice of former West Indian cricketer Basil Butcher who encouraged him to join the University of Guyana and the rest was history. He is now a doctor. As such, Dr Adams advised the youngsters and parents to find the right equilibrium. Meanwhile, Digicel’s Communication’s Manager Vidya Sanichara was on hand to deliver the digital giant’s contribution to the President of the Club Roger Harper. Digicel’s financial contribution will ensure the success of the 2019 edition of the camp which runs up until August 23. The camp will be conducted by an experienced team of coaches led by Technical Director Mark Harper along with Travis Dowlin, Gavin Nedd, Reon King, Clyde Butts and Roger Harper. This edition of the camp will be held under the theme “Creating the passion and nurturing the talent” and will seek to inculcate the fundamentals of the game to youth between 7-17 years old. The programme will involve classroom sessions, lectures by a variety of expert presenters, cricket and fitness drills, games simulations, side games and matches.A number of budding stars including Keemo Paul, Sherfance Rutherford, Tevin Imlach, Ashmead Nedd, Sachin Singh and Qumar Torrington have all emerged as products of the camp.
DCC President Roger Harper receiving a sponsorship cheque from the Digicel representative
