The National Secondary School League was officially launched at the Everest Cricket Club (ECC) Pavilion yesterday in a joint move by Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine, executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), sponsors Digicel and Banks DIH.
Also attending the revival ceremony of nationwide school cricket were GCB’s President and Secretary Drubahadur and Anand Sanasie, Digicel’s Sponsorship and Events Executive Louanna Abrams, National Sports Commission (NSC) Administrative Officer Gervy Harry, Banks DIH under the Nimbus Brand Manager Errol Nelson and Child Protection Officer Orette Francois.
Roopnaraine during his feature address stated that he was very pleased to have witnessed the rebirth of cricket in the school system and expressed his gratitude to the sponsors for having come on board such a major event. He also said enough was not being done to produce well-rounded students since it is essential to marry sport and academics as well as music and to this end plans are currently in motion.
He noted that due to some financial constraints they were unable to run off the tourney but stated that he was happy things were advancing and expressed optimism with the venture and the full progress it is expected to make.
Sanasie said that the board’s previous plans to establish a national cricket league was predominantly located in Georgetown but now the means to expand on a nationwide scale was available to them.
Special mention was made of the Ministry which will provide the balls for the competition. The competition will be conducted in two formats, one for a School National Champion team and the other for Tournament Champions.
Digicel Rep Louanna Abrams said they were delighted to be on board since the company is a firm supporter of youth development, referring to their nationwide school’s football tournament as an example. The winning school will receive a fully sponsored trip to the Garfield Sobers tourney which is held in Barbados annually
Similar remarks were echoed by Errol Nelson who said that the company was happy to be involved in the development of sports in Guyana. While, Harry highlighted various points about the tournament and its likely positive outcome while explaining that the NSC will continue to push for the countrywide expansion of sports.
