GCB presents over $800,000 worth of cricket gear to UDCA/Linden

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is moving full speed ahead to implement a number of programmes that are in the pipeline. Some will be done simultaneously to make up for lost time was the conviction expressed by Bissoondyal Singh, President of the GCB, as he spoke at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association (UDCA), held recently at the Watooka Guest House in Linden, Region 10.

During that AGM, more than $800,000 worth of cricket gear was handed over to the UDCA for use by the organisation in development of the game in Region 10. The UDCA is the body responsible for the conduct of cricket and all cricket-related activities in Region 10, a region which encompasses a wide area that includes Linden and the mining and riverine districts of Berbice Demerara and Essequibo.
In speaking at the ceremony, Singh first congratulated the President and Executive body of the UDCA on behalf of the GCB and DCB, and wished them all the best in their term in office. In an impassioned address, Singh said Region 10 is close to his heart, and he and his team of executives are happy to be among the gathering.
He recalled the sacrifices the UDCA had made along with cricket stakeholders during the turbulent times of the previous GCB administration, and said, “The UDCA stood the test of time. They were treated badly, were ostracized, and must be applauded. Many efforts were made to destroyed and disband the body, but the UDCA prevailed.”
Further, he mentioned the contribution made by the legendry Sir Clive Lloyd along with the gathering of some 7000 signatures to help get the Cricket Administration Act passed.
That entire process took years to conclude, he said, including a number of court battles.
The GCB, Singh said, is the parent body for cricket in Guyana, and deals specifically with county boards in Demerara, Berbice and Essequibo. The UDCA is simply an Association that is affiliated to the DCB.
However, due to county boards’ resilience and the fact that they are now getting off the ground, in comparison with the other Associations that have been around for years, they must be singled out for special assistance.
“You were stifled for over 11 years by the previous administrators, and must be given some attention, and the GCB is willing to assist,” he explained.
Alluding to the hard work and enthusiasm of the UDCA members, Singh mentioned the recently concluded U15 Inter Association Cricket Competition in Demerara. For the first time, he pointed out, an Under-15 team from Region 10 was selected to participate in a cricket competition. What is exemplary about that, he said, is that the team was selected in two weeks. The players had never played hard ball cricket, but were eager to play.
And what is more commendable is that one of the members of the team was selected to participate in the ongoing Inter-County Competition.
Touching on the donation, he said it is being done to help the Association with gear and equipment needed for training sessions and to play matches. He urged recipients of gear to make full use of the items donated, and said he looks forward to seeing talented players coming from the Region.
He assured the UDCA that that donation would not be the last. The items donated included bats, pads, gloves, stumps, balls.
The GCB will be moving to implement several activities, including training and playing matches, across the country, Singh declared. So, it would be prudent for the UDCA to have an adequate quantity of cricket gear and equipment to support player development plans.
Singh mentioned the rolling out of a massive schools’ programme, to be undertaken shortly with the training of 150 teachers from 75 primary schools countrywide. Region 10, he intoned, would be an integral part of that programme. Competition would commence at the end of the training sessions.
The GCB President commended the UDCA for having a number of females on board as part of the executives. Such a move is a good sign, he said, especially for youth and female cricket. Females are passionate in whatever they do, and they would help to stimulate the work of the UDCA. He challenged the UDCA to have teams ready for all other competitions, including Under-17, Under-19, and females, among others.
A very elated President of the UDCA, Bradley Fredericks, has said the UDCA is extremely grateful for such an enormous contribution. Pointing out that the worth and value of the gear goes beyond its $800,000 price tag, the UDCA president said that with the donation of the gear, it would be easier for them to help administer the game across the Region.
He promised that he and his executives would make full use of the items donated, and stressed that his board would continue to create the environment for players to grow and take up GCB challenge to have teams prepared in time for all upcoming competitions.