Registration starts today for East Coast cricket academy

The East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) has announced that registration for the 14th edition of its Annual Cricket Academy starts today at the Lusignan Community Centre.

Over 50 aspiring cricketers drawn from Ogle to Abary are expected to participate in the programme which caters for youth ages 12-16-years-old, a press release from the ECCB said. The academy will be held under the theme ‘Cricket -Professionalism and Healthy Lifestyle’ and registration will start at 9.30am.

The ECCB also advises all youth cricketers from along the East Coast corridor to assemble at the same venue on Monday for the start of the programme at 8.30am. The sessions will be coached by Latchman Yadram and Jeenarine. ECCB Secretary Judister Rampersaud will co-ordinate the activities with assistance from Yadram.

Organisers have indicated that participants will be able to interact with senior and former national cricketers who are expected to share their experiences on the national field. The senior players will also introduce the youngsters to the technical aspects of the game.

Several resource persons are also expected to host discussions on various cricket related topics during the course of the programme. These include a lecture on the history of West Indies cricket by former University of Guyana Lecturer Tota Mangar; the laws of cricket and umpiring by National Umpire Daveteerth Anandjit while book scorer Sidartha Anandjit will deal with the intricacies of the scoring system.

In addition, officers from the Cove and John Police Station will lecture the youngsters on road safety while an officer from the Education Ministry will discuss careers in cricket and discipline.

Participants will also receive mentoring on issues such as drugs and sports, the importance of education, leadership and sportsmanship, HIV and teenage sex, food and nutrition, social etiquette and grooming.

According to the press statement, more than 20 youngsters who attended the ECCB academy over the years have gone on to represent Guyana with distinction. These include Brian Sattaur who captained the successful Guyana under-19 team this year and Bashkar Yadram who captained the Guyana under-15 team. Both teams won the 2014 West Indies Cricket Board regional tournaments played here and in Jamaica, respectively.

For more information contact Rampersaud on telephone number 259-0308; Vice President in charge of Competitions Raymond Barton at 626-0223 or 220-1638 or Dave Anandjit at 617-8502.