The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) secure a significant grant from the Government of Guyana through its affiliate Ministry, the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports. This grant will cover a substantial cost associated with the expenses to conduct the three (3) major National Under-19 Tournaments, for 2023.
The National Under-19 Tournaments being sponsored by the Government of Guyana through its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport are the GCB/GOG/MCYS Under-19 Boys National Inter-Club Tournament scheduled from March 31, 2023, to April 6, 2023, GCB/GOG/MCYS Under-19 Boys Inter-County Super-50 Tournament scheduled from April 12, 2023, to April 16, 2023, and the GCB/GOG/MCYS Under-19 Boys Inter-County Three-Day Tournament scheduled from April 18, 2023, to April 26, 2023.
The GCB’s President Bissoondyal Singh commended the Government of Guyana, and its affiliate Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS), on making the commitment to sponsor these prestigious National Under-19 Tournaments. President Singh remarked that these National Under-19 Tournaments are prestigious domestic Championships that assist the GCB in providing a leveled and impartial environment for the Under-19 players to demonstrate their acquired skills and current form for selection to the National Under-19 team. Noticeably, Guyana will participate in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Emerging Boys Under-19 Regional Tournament scheduled to be held in St. Vincent from July 2, 2023, to August 2, 2023.
President Bissoondyal Singh went on to reiterate that the GCB is extremely grateful to His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and the Government of Guyana and to the dynamic and goal-oriented Minister of Sports Charles Ramson for this admirable sponsorship. This investment by the Government, through its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, sets the stage for cricket to be catapulted to higher levels of professionalism. This sponsorship of the Guyana Cricket Board’s Under-19 Tournaments by the government is a historic event. For the first time, the Government through its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport will substantially sponsor all related National Tournaments for an age group development exercise.
President Bissoondyal Singh went on to point out, that the conduct of Tournaments, including aged group Tournaments, is an expensive exercise, and acquiring adequate sponsorship at times poses a challenge. However, this investment in our youths is needed if we (The Guyana Cricket Board, Government, its Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, and Corporate Guyana) are to thoroughly take interest and discipline players through a purposeful and progressive development career pathway.
Clearly, the Guyana Cricket Board needs support from sponsors to carry out its Cricket Development and Competition exercises. Today, we are delighted to be here to launch this valuable network relationship that captures a critical age group in the player development pathway. The Under-19 Tournaments provide players with their final opportunities at the age group level to show their skills and form for national selection, and to also do so with a view to future senior team selection.
CWI Director and President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) Deleep Singh, and Berbice Cricket Board representative Dr. Cecil Beharry gave brief remarks. They were both high in praise for the Government of Guyana and commended Minister Charles Ramson for the exemplary work to develop and promote sports. They both highlighted the value of the sponsorship in relation to its benefit to the players and the administration of the game. Further, they indicated that their County Boards stand ready for to play their part to ensure the National Under-19 Tournaments realize resounding success.
Minister of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson in his remarks pointed out that the Under-19 Inter-County Tournaments are viewed as an integral part of the development pathway for players. The Minister alluded to the fact, that these three Under-19 Championships will provide players with adequate opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and form for consideration to their selection to the National Under-19 Team for both the CWI Three-Day and Super-50 format of the game.
Further, Minister Ramson underscored the importance of the conduct of the Under-19 Tournaments by indicating that these Tournaments are critical to the growth and empowerment of the young players involved, in that it serves as the main domestic catalyst for the mobility of players to the senior team.
Additionally, Minister Ramson indicated that significant work has been done on the restoration of grounds and that substantial work is being carried out to upgrade grounds to provide facilities that will give players the best opportunities to grow in their skill sets. He indicated that the Government of Guyana and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport will continue to work with the GCB and its affiliate County Boards to continuously build purposeful and meaningful partnerships.
The Minister mentioned Corporate Guyana from which the GCB must explore sponsorship engagements capable of catapulting Guyana’s and West Indies’ cricket to new heights of Regional and International dominance. (GCB)