GCA/CYP Seminar …
THE opening ceremony of the first ever Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) seminar, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) two-day seminar for Under-15 and U-19 cricketers, saw CYP’s Regional Director Henry Charles remind those in attendance that everyone needs leadership skills. “We all require leadership skills at some point and time in our life. It is not only about you as cricketers aspiring to be captains of your team or even playing for the West Indies which is not bad, but about you managing your life and being able to do so efficiently.

“It is about you knowing your weaknesses and strengths and being able to deal with the former as you build on the latter, which means you have to see yourself in a different mould as an individual who can handle situations well, both physically and mentally,” Charles stated.

Delivering the feature address to an audience which included president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh, president of the GCA Alfred Mentore and former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper, at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion yesterday, Charles charged the participants to take advantage of this gesture, which is being held under the theme: ‘Building Sportsmen to be Competent Leaders’.

“We have treated sports as a hobby, but it is no longer that. Sports whether it is cricket, football, athletics or even swimming, is something we do after we have completed all other tasks that were a priority in our life.

“After completing those tasks, then we find the time for sports; hence we should not treat or view it as a hobby any longer, as it is bigger than that. In fact, back in 2004, the United Nations (UN) took a decision to dedicate 2005 as the ‘International Year of Sports,’” stated Charles.

He continued, “Sports and physical education contribute to the economic and social growth to any country and, if used correctly, can have a lasting effect on public health and the environment at large, with young persons excelling in their respective sport, being seen as role models by their peers.”

While stating that his organisation would be more than willing to assist, Charles charged both the GCA and the GCB to consider hosting a summer camp of such nature to provide the opportunity for young people to be trained as future leaders in their respective society.

“There are companies and businesses out there who would readily contribute to programmes of this nature. You may not get the required sum you seek to help offset the expenditure of same, but at least you will get help from numerous organisations who are willing to support such a venture.

“For example, you have the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) who would be more than willing to support such a gesture, which leaves you in an advantageous position to lead the Caribbean in organising programmes of this nature.

“From there, you can make it a chain-linked programme, wherein the GCA can sell it to other cricket associations here in Guyana while the GCB can take it up at the board level with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), using the success of the GCA as a reference,” said Charles.

In closing, he urged the young cricketers present who are members of clubs affiliated to the GCA to take full advantage of what the GCA is doing for them, as they look to build effective leaders who will become competent sports personalities in Guyana.

Prior to Charles delivering his feature address, Mentore expressed his pleasure at being able to share a deep concern for the development of cricket not only in Georgetown but also in Guyana and on a wider scale, the West Indies, with his friends and colleagues.

“For some time now, we as cricket administrators have observed a number of our young players being distracted and often do not share the passion of the previous generation, and even though it is sad, it is true and steps must be taken to correct this position.

A look back at the recent GCB Awards Ceremony where the CEO of the WICB Dr Ernest Hilaire said many of today’s youths were becoming consumed with the images and lifestyles that they see on television, hence they have lost touch with their culture and sense of nationalism,” said Mentore.

Mentore further stated that it is his belief that this workshop is a great first step on the road to halt and ultimately reverse the negative trends that were mentioned by Dr Hilaire and they will seek to do so over the next two weekends.

“Topics such as leadership, conflict resolution, examination of self, impartation of necessary life skills to you the participants, are all earmarked for discussion during the course of this workshop, as many of our youths are faced with challenges such as crime, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, peer pressure and other social ills.

As a responsible association with a clear mandate to look out for the well being of its members, we must act. In fact, I beg to reiterate, we must act now before it’s too late, to help remedy some of the social ills our youths are faced with today.

For too long, clubs, associations and even board members have been comprised of many inactive members who only show up when it serves their self-interest and this sort of attitude needs to cease. By my estimation, 10% of the members do 90% of the work and a strong stance needs to be taken against such behaviour,” Mentore stated.

“During 2010, the GCA will be moving beyond the organising of matches and administering cricket, to take an active role in the personal development of our young cricketers and as president of the GCA, I want to say that remedial action will be taken.

When I assumed this job one year ago, I mentioned about creating a marriage between cricket and education, creating mentorship programmes and greater private sector involvement in the development of our cricket and cricketers.

“We have already secured commitments from a commercial bank to fund a literacy programme and a top local beverage company to design a specialised training and coaching programme, something you will hear more about in the months ahead.”

Mentore further told the audience in his Overview of the Programme, that the results of the workshop will be evaluated and its impact measured, as the GCA is confident there will be improvements in the outlook and attitude of the young cricketers in attendance.

“I believe that in order for our cricket as a nation to be elevated to the next level, one body or association or one board cannot go at it alone. That’s why today’s workshop is a collaborative effort amongst the GCB, CYP and the GCA.

“We need a coordinated and targeted approach to address the issues affecting our cricket, supported by the adoption and implementation of a national sports policy that will serve as the guideline towards the development of sports in Guyana.

“Equally important is the adoption of a youth policy in Guyana, which recognises the importance of youth in the development of not only sports, but the country as a whole. This is what is required on the road map to our recovery, that’s why I mentioned it.”

Following the remarks by Mentore and Charles, an interactive session was conducted under the guidance of Harper, while Ms Bonita Harris did an ice-breaking session with the more than 40 participants who were all Under-15 cricketers.

Today, another session of the same kind will be in place for the Under-19 cricketers, while the GCC will be the venue for next weekend’s workshop which will be held for coaches and captains.