– enjoying his stint in Canada….
By Ravendra Madholall
FROM the commencement of his successful cricketing career, Mahendra Veeren Nagamootoo has been a public ‘figure’ given the fact that he possesses charisma and friendliness.
At the age of 37, the former Guyana and West Indies leg-spinner is turning his attention to the coaching job, a position in which he vehemently feels he can make vital contributions and at any level too.
During his visit to Canada earlier this year, Nagamootoo represented Brampton Masters Cricket Club, and over the years he stated he has enjoyed the atmosphere and competitive level of cricket here.
His representation for West Indies senior team from 2000 to 2002, saw him in five tests and 24 one-day internationals.
He believed those experiences are the catalysts to make him a good cricketing bowling coach in the near future.
“I love cricket and I still want to be part of it and that is why I have chosen to become a coach for my country and even my club but I know I will have to start getting myself qualified and ready to make my presence felt,” Nagamootoo related.
The Berbician who featured in an amazing 102 first-class matches for Guyana senior side and picked up a record-breaking 370 wickets, is quite anxious to begin the coaching even though he is currently in USA playing and helping out the youths over there.
“Wherever I play cricket, I try to make a contribution both on and off the field; I think I have been long enough in the held to instill the skills and knowledge to younger aspiring cricketers whether in Canada, USA, England, Trinidad and Tobago or Guyana,” Nagamootoo declared.
Considered one of Guyana’s genuine spinners, Nagamootoo, who was born at Whim, Berbice, came from a reputable cricketing back-ground, his uncles are, the former great West Indians Alvin Kallicharran and Rohan Kanhai.
His younger brother Vishaul Nagamootoo is also a former Guyana first-class wicketkeeper.
Vishaul also impressed the Caribbean selectors during his 61 games, but unfortunately missed out owing to some occasional pathetic form coupled with hand injuries.
“These are some of the people who inspired me to play the game seriously from a young age; when I started to play for my village, my uncle (Alvin) saw me play and then he took me across to Port Mourant and there where I started to make a name; I told him I wanted to play for the West Indies and he said you can do it once you are disciplined and committed,” Nagamootoo divulged.In 1992, Nagamootoo was in the Guyana under-19 team, and immediately created a huge impact while in 1994 he made his first-class debut.
He never looked back and was drafted into the West Indies side to tour England in 2000.
He was in and out of the West Indies side over the two years.
He stated it was a great honour and a wonderful privilege to play at the highest level but felt he could have done more.
“It was a great achievement to reach at the international level playing for the great West Indies team, but I think I could have made a longer contribution to them given the fact I just only played in five tests; I think I deserved more but that’s the way the game goes and that is why I want to contribute back to the game; I have been playing cricket all over the world,” Nagamootoo said.
Having chalked up in excess of 350 wickets for Guyana, the former West Indies under-19 player and Guyana skipper wants to be part of any cricketing academy in Canada as well.
He said Canada have an abundance of talent but once they get the right nurturing, the cricket can grow at a faster rate.
“I have been playing cricket in Canada for a number of years and as I stated I really enjoy the high standards of club cricket; they have a good system and they attracted quality players from around the world on a yearly basis and that by itself will churn out the best soon rather than later,” Nagamootoo reasoned.
Nagamootoo was part of Guyana’s T20 team that emerged as the champion side in the inaugural Allen Stanford Caribbean tournament.
He performed excellently in helping his country win the prize money.
