Extra-curricular activities integral for well-rounded students – Henry
From left: Orette Francois, Anand Sanasie, Minister Dr Nicolette Henry, Drubahadur, and Colin Stuart during yesterday’s launching of the second National Secondary Schools League.
From left: Orette Francois, Anand Sanasie, Minister Dr Nicolette Henry, Drubahadur, and Colin Stuart during yesterday’s launching of the second National Secondary Schools League.

 

… Secondary Schools Cricket League launched

MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Dr Nicolette Henry, believes the return of cricket into the school system is a most welcome one.The minister, who was speaking on Wednesday at the launch of the Secondary Schools Cricket League said the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, in particular, firmly considers that extra-curricular activities, such as music and sports, in any form, play an integral part in producing well-rounded students.
Also attending the revival ceremony of nationwide schools cricket were GCB president, secretary and Territorial Development Officer, Drubahadur, Anand Sanasie and Colin Stuart, National Sports Commission (NSC) Administrative Officer Gervy Harry, and Child Protection Officer, Orette Francois.
“I see this National Secondary Schools competition just like the annual schools athletics championship, as a feeder system or nursery, from which we can get the cream of our cricketers and athletes. I hope through this competition we will be able to identify and groom those of you, who will not only represent Guyana, but also hopefully West Indies as well,” Dr Henry said.
According to the minister, cricket is one of the most popular games played here, and in the Caribbean, since it’s a game that provides great entertainment, and brings people from all ages and backgrounds together.
Stuart is of the opinion that the league forms a very valuable instrument from which the GCB can begin to assess players’ talent, and to implement strategies towards their development.
“These strategies may include directing players to clubs close to their homes or schools, and to involve them in progressive involvement programmes. The League is viewed as invaluable and irreplaceable,” Stuart said.
Drubahadur pointed out that cricket is not just a game, but a business, where aspiring cricketers can make it a career.
The GCB boss also lamented the lack of support, but added that with or without corporate Guyana or the government, the GCB will continue to invest in the development of the game locally.
Harry urged the students to take the opportunity offered to them, since cricket can become their career.
Meanwhile, Sanasie disclosed that each participating student must have 65 percent attendance rate during the previous school year, since the idea is to produce ‘smart cricketers’.
Sanasie, who is also a director on the West Indies Cricket Board, added that 30 complete cricket kits will be available, while talent-spotting will also be done for the nationwide competition, which has attracted over 150 teams spread across the 10 administrative regions.
Like the previous year, the tournament will use the Guyana Teachers Union’s Zone and District format to decide the overall winner.
The zones are Upper Corentyne, Lower Corentyne, New Amsterdam/Canje, West Berbice, Lower East Coast Demerara, Upper East Coast Demerara, North Georgetown, South Georgetown, East Georgetown, East Bank Demerara, Highway, Upper Demerara, West Bank Demerara, West Coast Demerara, East Bank Essequibo, Wakenaam, Leguan and Essequibo Coast.
The Guyana Cricket Board is partnering with the Ministry of Education, its Sports Department and Allied Arts Unit, the National Sports Commission, the Guyana Teachers Union and the Child Care and Protection Agency to host the competition.
Chase Academic Foundation are the defending champions.

 

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