-Kumarie Persaud, Kemol Savory are outstanding senior cricketers

MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson, said that the Cricket Academy that is currently under construction will tremendously enhance cricket in Guyana.

He was at the time delivering the feature address at the Essequibo Cricket Board’s Dinner and Award ceremony held Friday evening at the Anna Regina Town Council office.

He said that his Ministry has received the largest budget and, as such, investments were made in three stadiums at Anna Regina, Mc Kenzie, and Albion. He said that he is sure that before his tenure is done Guyana will be able to benefit from five stadiums –three of which will be dedicated to cricket.

“The Ministry has been investing in the upgrading of command grounds throughout Guyana; this has shown to be beneficial and more persons are getting involved in sports,” Ramson said.

Speaking on the Cricket Academy, Minister Ramson said that it is expected to be completed by Mid- February 2023, and made the commitment that once it works then the Academy will reach all three counties.

“The Cricket Academy has a very unique design so that instead of having an indoor facility we are having real cricket pitches with actual clay. What we did is that we are putting a transparent roof over the pitches so you have six pitches, so that net sessions will be at 365 days” Minister Ramson said.

He said that his Ministry has a strong relationship with the Guyana Cricket Board and they have a shared vision. He said it is his Ministry’s vision to take sports back to the highest level and will continue to make the necessary investments.

Meanwhile, the award ceremony was held after three years and it recognizes the efforts of outstanding Essequibo cricketers. Kumarie Persaud was named as the senior female cricketer of the year while the Junior Cricketer was Cyanne Retimiah. The Senior Cricketer of the year was Kemol Savory and the Junior was Bruce Vincent. Kemol Savory was named as the player of the year while the emerging player of the year award went to Garfield Phillips.

Other cricketers that were honoured for their outstanding performances in the game of cricket was Ravid Fredricks, Ethan Silas, Darrius Pearson, who emerged as the most outstanding performer at the U-13 level while Zandon Rose and Nicholas Lovelle did well for the U-15 level. Gowkarran Chullai received the award for the U-17 level. Bruce Vincent received award for outstanding performances in the U-17 and 19.

Shining in the female cricket for the U-19 level were Cyanne Retimiah and Lavina Ragobeer. Kumarie Persaud received the award for the senior level.

Meanwhile, Quintin Sampson, Ronsford Beaton, Anthony Adams, Kemol Savory and Keemo Paul were awarded for their outstanding performances at the Senior Male Level.

Coaches Courtney Gonsalves and Forbes Daniels efforts were recognized for their contribution in cricket development while Ryan Hercules efforts were recognized as the first Essequbians for the Level 3 Coach and Senior Coach for the National team.

Jeff Jhones received an award for being the first Essequibian player to score a century in Senior Inter-County. Elbert Stephens was awarded for being the first Essequibian player to obtain a 5-wicket haul in a Final against Berbice played at Hampton Court, while Dasroy Balgobin was recognized for being the first Essequibian National umpire.

“More Training”
President of the Essequibo Cricket Board, Daleep Singh, said that newly elected members of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) organized the award ceremony to recognize the performances of cricketers in the Region. Singh said the ECB spans from Bartica to Pomeroon and, in 2022, expanded the scope of the Pomeroon Cricket Committee into four Amerindian reservations: Moruca in Region Two; Wakapau , Kabakaburi, and Karawab in the Upper Pomeroon.

Mentions were made of President Irfaan Ali’s commitment to rehabilitate the Cricket Board Hostel at Anna Regina. He said that despite challenges, the ECB will be fast-tracking its programmes to meet cricket needs in Region Two. More indoor training facilities will be constructed in all area committees to enhance players’ development.

Persaud and Savory expressed gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Essequibo Cricket Board for hosting the award ceremony. Persaud said that she is willing to work with female cricketers in the region to further enhance cricket in the region.