By Clifton Ross

CRICKET Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive Anand Sanasie said the next batch of Jaguars Academy players will be issued their contracts as soon as the conservatory is reopened, following the lifting of the current phase of lockdown.

The CGI executive added that the new LBI facility is near to completion.

The Cricket West Indies (CWI) director told Chronicle Sport yesterday that the annual issuing of contracts for the next generation of Jags players will happen when the Academy is able to reopen its doors in order to facilitate weekly full-time training and practice sessions.

Some 15 contracts were awarded to the senior members of the Jaguars franchise team a few months ago. However, with the Academy’s heart and soul basically being able to train 5 days a week and putting in a number of practice simulations among other aspects of grooming for the big stage, the inability to do any of these activities has curtailed months of progress for the local fraternity.

While Sanasie did not go into details about the next tier of players, he did confirm that some 8 to 10 rookie contracts will be awarded possibly as early as next month – should lockdown rules ease.

Despite the hurdles the Academy has been forced to jump over the last 6 months, the CGI managerial earmarked August month-end as the next possible date to resume some semblance of cricket. He stated that these plans to restart live action will all be guided by the protocols of the Ministry of Public Health and its COVID-19 Task Force.

As for now, both senior and junior players have been conducting their daily ZOOM fitness sessions, which have been an integral part of staying fit and keeping the camaraderie as they honour the social-distancing movement.

All this, according to Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) secretary is being done to prepare the standards and pave the way for an emphatic return to live action on the local circuit whenever Guyana gets back up and running.

Regarding the Academy’s new home of training, the LBI Indoor/Outdoor facility, Sanasie hinted that the venue’s first phase has already been completed. Phase 2, which is currently in progress could be finished within the next month and when finalised will allow for some live cricket under lights.

From a positive perspective, should the pandemic ease over the next few weeks, September could be a great month for local cricket, as the highly-exciting/important Jaguars Franchise League 50 Overs and 3-Day tournaments have been tipped to bowl off, but under strict guidelines.

With new contracts on the horizon, a new multi-purpose facility nearly completed and a number of refreshed, hungry players raring to get back to training; all hopes lie in the next phase of Guyana’s COVID-19 guidelines.

Live sports will then return with the permission to reopen various facilities and grounds across the country.