… match referees and umpires course on the cards
PRESIDENT of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Chetram Singh stated that the national female cricket team will undergo an encampment period prior to their departure for the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Female Regional tournament which will be held in St Vincent and the Grenadines from August 12 to 18.
Also on the cards for the GCB is the hosting of a match referees and umpires course, as the governing body for the gentleman’s game here in Guyana looks to improve the level of local umpires and match referees.
With regard to the female national squad which was announced a few weeks ago, the GCB is hoping to have practice matches on July 2 and 3, following which the national selectors will be able to choose the final 14.
An encampment period has been earmarked for July 24 to August 8, before the team leaves on August 10, with their first opponent being Trinidad and Tobago two days after their arrival.
“In comparison to previous performances by teams leaving this country, we are looking to have adequate success, hence the early preparation, and with the completion and availability of the GCB’s hostel at LBI, same can be achieved,” stated Singh.
Singh, who has been at the helm of Guyana’s cricket for the past 18 years, stated that T&T has indicated willingness to tour Guyana with a female national team as well as an Under-17 male team some time in July, but regrets to say the GCB will not be able to accommodate the Twin Island Republic’s request for various reasons he refused to mention.
The nationwide Neal and Massy first division competition, Inter-county and Club 20/20 and 50 overs competition, GCB four-team competition as well as the GCB/Ministry of Education Inter-school competition are also set to be completed in the second half of the year by the GCB.
“Apart from these tournaments, we are looking at hosting a few courses for match referees, scorers and umpires, with a view of having younger umpires, especially those players who have played first class cricket before, officiating in games.
“A pitch curator’s programme which will serve as a follow-up to International Cricket Council’s pitch consultant Andy Atkinson’s curators’ seminar, is also on the cards as the GCB looks to ensure we finish the year on a high, in total contrast to the start.”