By Avenash Ramzan
avenash@newsroom.gy
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Tuesday launched the historic ‘One Guyana’ National Inter-Club Super50 knockout competition for clubs across the country.
Never before has a nationwide competition at this age group been staged, its realisation now serving to bridge the gap between youth and senior cricket.
Slated to start this month, the knockout tournament will have matches in Berbice, Demerara and Essequibo between the period March 22 and April 20, Cricket Operations Manager of the GCB, Anthony D’Andrade announced at the tournament unveiling at the National Stadium, Providence.
Click here to view photos from the launch
Following this phase, the county champions will qualify for a national playoff, set for April 22-27, with the likely venue being the National Stadium, Providence.
Clubs desirous of playing in the competition, have between March 12 to 19 to register. Registration will be done solely through the respective county boards.
To be eligible, players must be under the age of 21 on August 31, 2024.
‘A novel concept that should be replicated’
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr., in endorsing the tournament and underlining its significance as a critical pillar of development, emphasised the need for its replication at the regional level.
“I also would want to see that Cricket West Indies appreciate the step that we’re taking in advancing this initiative,” Ramson Jr. highlighted.
“It’s a novel concept because no other place has an Under-21 tournament. So it’s not just historic for Guyana, it’s historic for the region.
“And I’m hoping that Cricket West Indies appreciates the bold step that we’re taking in the new initiative and they also see the credence as well as the credibility as advancing this as a firm part of the overall structure of the development pathway for cricket talents in the region.”
It is the fervent hope of Ramson Jr. that the Under-21 tournament remains part of the local structure, thereby driving talent development.
“It’s historic,” the minister remarked as he reflected on the genesis of the competition, which dates back to a meeting with GCB and county representatives last February.
“We made a decision that this was going to be a new initiative that was an important part of the overall development of cricketing talent in the country.”
Forging partnerships for development
President of the Guyana Cricket Board Bissoondyal Singh related that for years young cricketers have had structured opportunities at the Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 levels, but after that many faced the challenge of transitioning into senior cricket without adequate competition to bridge the gap.
“With this Under-21 tournament, we are giving our players that additional opportunity to grow, develop and refine their skills before stepping onto the senior stage,” he posited.
“As part of our five-year development plan, we recognised the need for a structured pathway that nurtures talent at every stage. We started with the introduction of the Under-13 and Under-23 age-group tournaments and today, with the addition of the Under-21 competition we are completing a full circle of that development framework.”
Singh, a Cricket West Indies Director and president of the Demerara Cricket Board, said this Under-21 tournament will ensure every young cricketer has a clear route to progress from grassroots to the national and even international levels.
The GCB head used the forum to laud the Irfaan Ali-led government for its investment in sport in general and cricket in particular, citing the Head-of-State’s desire to see the exponential development of cricket as an important component of nation building.
“Cricket, being the heartbeat of Guyanese sports, stands to benefit tremendously. With improved facilities, enhanced coaching programmes and expanded tournaments such as this one, the government and GCB partnership has created an environment where our young players can thrive,” Singh told the gathering.
President of the Essequibo Cricket Board and Cricket West Indies Director Deleep Singh said he was heartened to witness the “swiftness” with which the tournament moved from conceptualisation on February 17 to launching in just under a month.
He praised Minister Ramson Jr. and Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle for their efforts in leading the implementation process.
“We in Essequibo welcome this tournament. It’s an opportunity to have players coming out of Under-19 involved in something tangible, to keep their cricket skills alive and use it as preparation for the Under-23 competition.”
Dr. Cecil Beharry, president of the Berbice Cricket Board, highlighted that the “investment” is not just in cricket, but also in the youth population of the country.
He posited that the tournament will provide a prime opportunity for those “late developers” to showcase their talent.
“The Berbice Cricket Board and its executives wish to thank the minister and the government of Guyana for this initiative, and we’re sure this is a move in the right direction as cricket and youth will benefit.”
Also present at the tournament launch were Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle, Assistant Director of Sport Franklin Wilson, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Ronald Williams, Chairman of the Competitions Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board Shaun Massiah, cricket officials, Under-21 players and special invitees.
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Historic U-21 tournament to bridge gap between youth and senior cricket – News Room Guyana
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