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GUYANA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 23, 2017
GFF pleased with Guyana’s showing at CONCACAF U-15 Championship DESPITE winning only one of four games, head coach Bryan Joseph and Technical Director Ian Greenwood have both labelled Guyana’s showing at the CONCACAF U-15 Championship a success and a step in the right direction. Guyana was among 39 countries that participated in the August 13-19 Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Under-15 Championship, which was said to be the largest CONCACAF tournament ever, including 39 member associations and over 700 youth players from across the Confederation. The developmental tournament featured 81 matches played entirely at the world-renowned
The National U-15 team with officials from the Guyana Football Federation yesterday. (Samuel Maughn photo)
Ambrose interested in England coaching role
With Ottis Gibson expected to leave the England set-up, Curtly Ambrose has expressed his interest in replacing him as fast-bowling coach.
WEST Indies legend Curtly Ambrose would be keen to join England’s coaching team should Ottis Gibson become head coach of South Africa. Gibson is reportedly set to join the Proteas after England’s current series with the Windies, the former paceman currently working as fast-bowling coach under Trevor Bayliss. During the 48-year-old’s tenure, England’s seam attack has flourished with the likes of Toby Roland-Jones, Jake Ball and Mark Wood coming through to support experienced duo James Anderson and Stuart Broad. Broad credited Gibson’s work after he surpassed Ian Botham to become England’s second-highest Test wicket-taker in the first Test with
the Windies, Joe Root’s side winning by an innings and 209 runs. Gibson has been linked with South Africa amid reports Russell Domingo will leave his role and, should that happen, Ambrose would be interested in replacing him. “If an opportunity came from England I would certainly take it because I have something to offer,” Ambrose told the Daily Mail. “I would be very interested in returning to international cricket.” During his career, Ambrose took 405 Test wickets in 98 Tests, and was the West Indies’ bowling consultant as they won the 2016 World Twenty20 before being sacked later that year. (Omnisport)
IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida. The Guyanese opened the tournament with a 1-1 draw against St Kitts and Nevis, but were beaten 3-1 by rivals Suriname. Guyana wrapped up Group F with a 1-0 win over St Lucia, but later on had their hearts broken by Puerto Rico, who edged them 6-5 on sudden death after finishing regulation 1-1. Joseph hailed the players’ competitive nature but stated that the team lacked the concentration to focus for 90
minutes. He said this was evident since in every match, Guyana were first to get on the scoreboard. However, Joseph pointed out that they received positive feedbacks from spectators, and forecast that in time and should the players continue along the path set by the Guyana Football Federation’s (GFF) Technical Director Ian Greenwood, they will have a bright future representing both club and country. Meanwhile, Greenwood, who touted play-
ers’ development from the youth level since arriving at the GFF, said the team’s showing is a reflection of the players’ commitment to the ongoing work done at their respective Academy Training Centres (ATC). G re e n w o o d , w h i l e hailing their good showing at the CONCACAF tournament, challenged them to keep working hard, since there are both local and overseas players who are just as talented, who are “putting in the work” for a chance to represent Guyana.
President of the GFF, Wayne Forde, said his federation was “extremely proud” of the team, calling the ATC and Greenwood’s youth development initiative “a worthwhile investment.” Forde pointed out the GFF’s commitment to not only ensuring that the players are afforded the opportunity to train on a continuous basis and at an enabling environment, but also promising to provide a platform for them to showcase their talent both locally and overseas.
Former Windies pacer Benjamin named Hurricanes head coach BASSETERRE, St Kitts, (CMC) – Ex-West Indies seamer Winston Benjamin has been appointed head coach of Leeward Islands Hurricanes for the upcoming Professional Cricket League (PCL) campaign. He replaces Reginald Benjamin who parted ways with the franchise in controversial circumstances towards the end of the last season. Former West Indies batsman Stuart Williams took over for the final two games of the first class season.
Winston Benjamin, who took 61 wickets from
involved in coaching for more than two decades
New Hurricanes head coach, Winston Benjamin.
21 Tests and 100 scalps from 85 ODIs, has been
and is also a certified Level Three coach.
M o s t r e c e n t l y, h e served as head coach of the Under-19 and Under-19 Leeward Islands sides. The 52-year-old, who was one of two candidates interviewed for the position, takes up the role on September 1. Hurricanes open their first class campaign against Windward Islands Volcanoes in Grenada from October 26-29. Last season, Hurricanes finished last as Guyana Jaguars completed a hat-trick of titles.