– has not procured visa for course which starts tomorrow
Cricket coach Michael Hyles, popularly known as `Franko,’ is ruing his luck after not being able to make it to England in time for the commencement of a coaching course to be conducted by the England Cricket Board (ECB).
Hyles, who was selected as Guyana’s representative to the Tutor Training and Development Course, was scheduled to leave yesterday morning but up to yesterday had not acquired the necessary visa from the British High Commission.
According to Hyles, the course would not only have benefited him but also other junior coaches and cricketers in Guyana.
Hyles, who expressed his disappointment, said he was selected by the GCB and his selection ratified by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
The dejected Hyles added that in late August he was informed about the course but his little knowledge of the internet caused him to be where he is today, at home.
He said that he left it all up to the GCB but was only informed a few days ago that they had successfully sent all of the correspondences to the ECB.
He said he was told to go to the British High Commission on October 9 to process his visa which takes 20 days.
He was, however, assured that he would be able to attend the course which starts tomorrow.
Hyles said that he was told that he would be getting the visa but not until next week.
Hyles is asking what he will do with the visa since the course concludes October 29.
Contacted for a comment Territorial Development Officer Colin Stuart said Hyles’ participation in the tutor programme would have been subject to the availability of a valid UK visa.
Stuart, a former West Indies fast bowler said it was unfortunate that Hyles did not get to attend the course which would have allowed him to tutor coaches.
“We know that Mr. Hyles is one of the better coaches around. He has worked with Roger Harper and we were hoping that he would have been able to attend the course and learn how to be a tutor.”
“We encountered some online difficulties when we tried applying for the visa and after trying repeatedly decided to acquire the services of a professional.”
“However, the professional also encountered difficulties and verbally reported to the British High Commission here that there might be a problem with the service,” Stuart reported.
Stuart said that himself and vice president of the GCB, Malcom Peters were forced to visit the British High Commission.
“Myself and Mr. Peters, we went in much to the annoyance of one of the employees as everything is done by appointment.”
Stuart said they were informed that the British High Commission here does not do appointments and that the appointments must be done online.
They were told to go back and try again which they did and after repeated attempts by the professional they were eventually successful and Hyles went in for his interview. However, according to Stuart, “It just did not leave us with sufficient time.”
He added:”It is a pity that he did not get to go.”
