New LBI cricket facility to be unveiled in days to come – Sanasie
Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive Anand Sanasie
Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive Anand Sanasie

Floodlights to be mounted this weekend 

By Clifton Ross

THE LBI Indoor/Outdoor multi-purpose facility, Guyana Jaguars new training base, is expected to formally open its doors in the coming days, with the floodlights being erected this coming weekend; according to Cricket Guyana Inc. (CGI) executive Anand Sanasie.

The local scene has been relatively quiet going into its 7th month now, following the COVID-19 outbreak. Guyana’s position has been similar to that of other countries around the world, where its sports fraternity has been on lockdown up until the last month or so when a few international and regional/tournaments and series managed to squeeze in some action under strict bio-secure guidelines.

Cricket locally has yet to resume although the national side remain engaged in daily virtual ZOOM sessions, coupled with their own quarantine-style methods of training as they await normalcy to return.

Sanasie, yesterday broke some good news during a brief interview with Chronicle Sport, confirming that the LBI facility, which has been under some meticulous refurbishing over the last few months, is now finally ready to be opened.

Although Cricket West Indies (CWI) director did not specify a day for the official opening of the venue, he did, however, point out that within the coming days Jags players as well as academy youngsters will have full access to their new home for training and practice; in preparation for the upcoming Regional 2020/21 season.

One confirmation regarding the venue was that this weekend the facility’s floodlights will be mounted ahead of the grand opening ceremony. Also, the cricketers were expected to resume action this month with the 2020 Jaguars Franchise League 50-Over and 3-Day tournaments, breaking months of inactivity due to lockdown.

However, with COVID cases on the rise locally and the Government of Guyana maintaining their strict safety guidelines, venues of all sport niches remain closed until the end of September.

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) secretary explained that with lockdown extended, CGI has decided to further keep their academy closed for another month, while tournaments have also been put on hold until the country’s next COVID-19 update.

Also, some 8 to 10 new Jaguar faces, according to Sanasie, are expected to have their rookie contracts issued to them following the reopening of the Academy.

Upon the easing of the current lockdown phase, cricket action will resume under strict guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and its COVID-19 Task Force Unit.

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