Dear Editor,
Growing up in a countryside school was nice, all because of cricket. We played just about anywhere. We never heard about cricketing programmes. Our interest came from listening to the game via radio, and one thing led to another.
In this era, things are so different and better. Our aspiring cricketers have the opportunity to explore cricket to the fullest. Now there are all kinds of programmes.
The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) now seems to have a better understanding as to what Guyana is aiming to do in terms of regulating the game. Government is now working with the WICB to roll out a school programme that goes just beyond playing cricket in the field. It involves incorporating cricket into areas of academic studies such as Mathematics, English, Geography and other such subjects.
Many have this idea that it is either cricket (sport on the whole) or studies. This should never be. It can be both.
The President of the WICB Whycliffe Cameron recently said that he was very pleased that international and regional matches have returned to the country. Indeed, the Limacol Caribbean Premiere League (LCPL) was a good fillip in this regard.
I really feel optimistic about this pilot project being offered to Guyana. So far, a lot of work has been done too.
Minister Dr Frank Anthony apprised the nation of the fact that even textbooks have been developed, and that the programme is going to be a very interesting one.
There are plans to establish a cricket academy and Guyana has been spending a lot of money in cricketing camps.
Maybe the academy can be for those earmarked for professional sports, of course all contingent upon prowess shown. By this time too, many of these prodigies would have been through their secondary school’s academic programmes.
Things like cricketing camps and academies must be fully regulated. The government has already tabled the Cricket Administration Bill that is currently before a parliamentary select committee.
If all goes well, this will fulfill the need for good governance of the administration of cricket in Guyana.
Yours sincerely,
Colin Cox