Norton urges players to take advantage of their opportunities

… as Malteenoes Cricket Academy reopens

After having difficulty resuscitating the beloved Malteenoes Cricket Academy over the years, scores of young cricketers, coaches and patrons of the Malteenoes Sports Club (MSC) were present on Monday morning as the Academy was once again reopened for a two-week session.

Over that period of time, it is expected that young players up to the age of 18 will benefit from not only on field training but also capacity building in terms of etiquette and media interaction.
Delivering the feature address at Monday’s opening ceremony was Social Cohesion Minister with responsibility for youth, culture and sport, Dr George Norton. The Minister, who is known for throwing himself into a game or two when the opportunity arises, urged the new students to take full advantage of everything they will learn, considering the Academy’s impressive track record.
“We all know that this Academy, over the years, has contributed to the grooming of some of the country’s best cricketers who have done Guyana proud, so I want to encourage you to grasp all that is taught,” he stated.
In relation to the coaching staff on board, Norton expressed confidence in the team, noting that he was impressed with the variety of topics that would be covered over the next two weeks.
“I am particularly impressed by the depth of the programme, and the fact that the sessions are not only about teaching cricket techniques. I am happy to know that you will be addressing issues like child safety and protection, hygiene and social skills. I am also quite impressed by the fact that this Academy will not only be grooming future cricketing stars, but umpires, scorers, Journalists and even broadcasters as well,” Minister Norton said.
The Academy’s curriculum is not limited to catering for aspiring cricketers but also children who are desirous of taking up umpiring, scoring, broadcasting and journalism. As such, it was made clear that the aim of the Academy is not only to produce cricketers but also to assist youngsters in exploring the vast opportunities that the sport can provide.
The Academy, which was vibrant in the 1990s, had recommenced in 2016 but missed out on 2017 due to a lack of available coaches. The programme has produced renowned cricketers such as Ramnaresh Sarwan, Narsingh Deonarine and Steve Massiah. This year’s programme will conclude on August 3.