TELECOMMUNICATIONS service provider Digicel, in collaboration with the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), yesterday launched the Guyana leg of the WICB Grassroots Cricket programme on the lawns of the world-renowned Georgetown Cricket Club ground. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Digicel (Guyana) Inc. Gregory Deen, Director of Sport Neil Kumar, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Phulander Khandai, listened as Secretary of the GCB and Director of the WICB Anand Sanasie outlined the logistics behind the programme.
“The WICB/Digicel Grassroots programmes will make available, US$360 000 over the next two years to assist in the development of clubs in the region, with both clubs and organised groups having the opportunity to apply for up to US$5 000 in aid from the WICB.
“Such a grant is expected to be used for infrastructure development, to strengthen training programmes and for the procurement of gear and equipment, with the grassroots grants being made available for four periods,” said Sanasie.
According to Sanasie, the four periods are March to June and July to December 2011 and February to June and July to December 2012 respectively, where clubs can make application for the Grassroots Cricket Support Facility, during this period.
Sanasie further told his audience that also included Digicel’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) Shonette Moore that despite the programme is being named WICB/Digicel Grassroots Cricket, it is following on the heels of the WICB/Scotiabank Kiddies Cricket Programme.
The programmes will run for a period of 30 weeks, catering for cricketers from ages 12 to 15 and 15 to 17 years, with each programme running for 15 weeks, and culminating in time for the WICB U-15 and U-17 competitions.
“This programme is geared at targeting individuals in the far and outlining areas, not only in Guyana, but the Caribbean where it will be launched, especially those persons who are unable to access cricket gear and are interested in playing the game,” said Sanasie
In their brief remarks, both Kumar and Khandai lauded Digicel for taking this step in assisting with the further development of Guyana and West Indies cricket, especially at such a critical point where success has been hard to achieve.
“This is indeed a most encouraging programme that Digicel, who has widened its shoulders here in Guyana, is being a part of. We at the National Sports Commission and the Ministry of Sport would like to express our heartfelt congratulations to Digicel on this gesture.
“I would like to take the opportunity to assure both Digicel and the GCB of the Ministry’s unflinching support in making this programme a success, especially with the tumultuous time both Guyana and West Indies cricket have been undergoing recently,” said Kumar.
Deen hailed the programme as one which will contribute towards the foundation of West Indies cricket and urged the young cricketers on hand and those who will benefit from the grassroots programme, to take advantage of the opportunity being given to them.
“Certainly, this will serve you all well in the future. The techniques you will be exposed to by the coaches employed to teach same will benefit you in the end, as I am sure some of you are seeing yourself as the next Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Shivnarine Chanderpaul or whichever cricketer you idolise in the future.
“Having said that, I would like to extend congratulations to Scotiabank on their Kiddies Cricket Programme and in fact, I am happy with any corporate company who comes on board to contribute towards the development of West Indies cricket,” said Deen.
“Digicel has been the proud sponsor of West Indies cricket since 2004 and is committed towards the growth and expansion of West Indies cricket at all levels and this commitment was further cemented through Digicel’s sponsorship of the WICB’s Grassroots Programme,” said Moore.
According to Moore, Digicel’s Youth Cricket Development Programme (DYCDP) is a long-term plan for West Indies cricket, aimed at sustainability at the national and international levels, by creating a pool of skilled young players who will further drive the growth and success of the game.
She said the Grassroots Programme expands on the fundamentals learnt in the Scotiabank Kiddies Cricket Programme, targeting those who had been a part of the initiative as well as other young people who are interested in cricket, irrespective of their experience.
With the GCB’s successful launching yesterday, Guyana became the third Regional territory to have launched their Digicel Grassroots Programme, following Antigua and Trinidad and Tobago, with the GCB’s Cricket Development Officer (CDO) Reon King being in charge of the programme.
Following yesterday’s launching ceremony, some of the young cricketers who were present did a fielding exhibition under the guidance of Michael Franco-Hyles, Orin Bailey, Andrew Allen and Gavin Nedd, four of the coaches who will take them through their paces when the programme officially gets under way.