Investment of young players a positive sign for Guyana cricket

…Guyana Under-19 trio are beneficiaries of CGI Contracts

Despite all the circumstances attending cricket in Guyana in terms of administrative issues, Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) has continued to invest in its players, and recently publicised its revamped academy contract structure.
The competitive 3-tier contracts for the 2019/2020 season has seen some young players making their way into the set-up, commencing their training on Monday last.

Fresh from the Guyana Under-19 stint in St Vincent and the Grenadines, 3 players: Kevlon Anderson, Kevin Umroa and Ashmead Nedd, received their maiden contracts – ‘C’ contracts. They are happy with this new development in their careers, and will now be exposed to intense training under tutelage of qualified coaches from Monday to Thursday on a weekly basis.
One may ask how Guyana became five-time Regional 4-Day champions. The CGI Academy contract is certainly among those reasons for Guyana’s success in Regional cricket. Academy players benefit not only in terms of fitness, but they gain knowledge from the Guyana Jaguars players, some of whom have played Test cricket.

For these Under-19 players, this ‘C’ class contract, worth Gy$50,000 per month, signals the beginning of greater things to come for them.
The ‘B’ class contract, which is valued at Gy$75,000 per month, has already been given to some prospective Guyana Jaguars players: Kemol Savory, Ronaldo Ali Mohammed, Raymond Perez and Kevin Sinclair.
The ‘A’ class contract, which is valued at Gy$100,000 per month, has already been given to Trevon Griffith, the experienced left-handed opener Akshaya Persaud, Anthony Adams, and new and improved off-spinner Richie Looknauth. All these contracts are for the 2019/2020 season.

The La Bonne Intention (LBI) facility, progressively moving towards completion, will be used as the first class training facility for players. This academy process provides outstanding players with the opportunity to benefit more financially from local contracts, especially in cases where they may have narrowly missed out on Regional Franchise contracts, or have been noticeably recognised by CGI for exceptional performance in the locally conducted training and preparatory programmes.
The directors of CGI credit the Academy structure with providing unwavering support to the five-time champions the Guyana Jaguars, ensuring that replacement players are well prepared and equipped to excel at the regional and international levels.
Holders of any of these 3-tier Academy contracts will have the additional benefit of being attended by the usual management staff, with two (2) Academy coaches, a physiotherapist, and a strength and conditioner person. (Brandon Corlette)