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Kaieteur News
TDO Lynch wants to see Guyana cricket back on track By Zaheer Mohamed Newly appointed Territorial Development Officer (TDO) of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Monte Lynch wants to see Guyana cricket return to its glory days. Lynch appointment came at a time when Guyana performed poorly in the recently concluded West Indies domestic tournaments finishing 5th in the 4 day with 18 points and 6th in the Super 50 with 8 points. He is tasked with the responsibility of improving the game in a country where cricket is regarded as its national sport. Lynch played for Guyana in 1982-1983 when the country won the Shell Shield and Geddes Grant competitions under Clive Lloyd; he represented Surrey and England in three one day internationals and also worked with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union managing one of their franchise teams, Southern Rocks, and with a England Cricket Board level three coaching certificate under his belt, he may be the well suited for this assignment. Lynch, who turned 55 on Tuesday last, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday of some of his plans to develop the game locally. He said that a great deal of emphasis will be placed at the grassroot level. “In collaboration with the GCB, I am looking at a three to four year plan where I want to reintroduce the game back in the schools. I am planning a meeting with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to plan the best way forward in getting the game back on the school’s curricula as soon as possible.
Monte Lynch
I am also hoping to start the Kiddies and the Digicel Grassroots coaching programme within the next four weeks, a meeting has been organized by the GCB for us to meet with representatives of the West Indies Cricket Board from the 29th-31st of May to discuss same,” added Lynch. He said that youngsters will also be recommended to clubs and efforts will be made to have the youngsters train on Mondays and participate in matches on Fridays which will help them to compete at a young age. Lynch who started the MAL Skills coaching company in England, which is now manage by his son Louis Lynch and began to coach at the Georgetown Cricket Club in August 2012, said he couldn’t find any employment and thanked those at the Georgetown Cricket Club for their support especially Les Ramalho, Richard Jodha, Paul-Chan-A-
Sue and Phillip Fernandes and secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board Anand Sanasie for ensuring his knowledge in used to benefit the local game. He informed that he hopes to organise summer camps in the three counties at different age groups but will target youngsters at the U12-15 level and wants to make the grassroots programme regular. One of the things he will put in place is a well structured coaching programme. “I want a regular body of coaches to work with players at the U15, 17 and U19 level and ensure their fitness level is at an acceptable standard both on and off season. Players will be also trained to play on different surfaces so by the time they reached 17 we will get an idea whether they will play international cricket. I will also ask the West Indies Cricket Board through the GCB to hold level one and two coaching courses and
Wright steps down as JCA president Jamaica Observer KINGSTON, Jamaica Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Lyndel Wright, announced during an emotional speech yesterday, that he will not seek reelection at the Board’s annual general meeting (AGM) which is due by October this year. Wright said the decision to not run for another term as boss of the cash-strapped association “had not been easy” adding that it was based on a “number of factors”. He said that family responsibility, commitment to his regular job in project management and his desire to invest more time into his
boyhood club Boys’ Town were the reasons for deciding to step aside. “I want to give thanks to God for all things,” Wright said at the Sabina Park press briefing. “I’m not retiring, I’m not calling end of play, but I can serve no longer as the president of the JCA,” he remarked, seemingly fighting back tears. He insisted that the “work will continue” even as the time on his tenure winds down. William ‘Billy’ Heaven, the chief executive officer of the CHASE Fund, had recently declared that he will run for the JCA top spot at the upcoming AGM. However, Wright stated
Lyndel Wright that Heaven’s decision did not force his hand. The Jamaica Observer understands that a member of Wright’s current executive could, in the coming days, also enter the race for JCA president.
refresher programmes and to assist in getting the umpires trained; I am hoping that only the top qualified coaches will be assigned for national duties.” When quizzed about the game at the senior level, Lynch who was born at Anna Catherina on the West Coast of Demerara, said he will speak with each player that represented Guyana this year and progress from there. “I am impressed with some of the players’ talent but they must understand that it’s an honour to represent Guyana and must be serious if they want to wear the national team shirt, players must maintain a certain level of fitness before they join the camp and be eligible for selection, every cricketer will be given an equal opportunity to play for Guyana and they will be asked to play as a unit. Cricketers will be trained together but will also be given time to train individually,” he stated. Lynch indicated that players must respect team rules and social graces must be brought back to the game. “Teams must gel together at all times and players must be on time for practise sessions and matches. They need to improve mentally and be ready to fight for Guyana, I don’t mind losing but players must show fight, they must be prepared to battle and self confidence is important,” he stated. He said that efforts will be made to get sponsors on board to help with the development of the game and ask the relevant government officials to reduced transportation fares for teams traveling from their counties. He indicated that Guyana needs a professional league. “We want a league in Guyana so our top players will be playing at home but it will have to be sponsored, currently most of our players are plying their trade in Trinidad and Tobago,” said Lynch. In terms of female cricket, Lynch informed that the female teams will be asked to play at the junior levels with the males, they will also be involved in the Kiddies programme and a team will be put together for training. He said better facilities need to be prepared. “We need better pitches and outfields; the facilities at the schools must be resurrected as well,” he stated. Lynch pointed out that he marked out Essequibo and (Continued on page 34)
Thursday May 23, 2013
Guyana Independence T20 Cup 2013
MEMOREX Enterprises chips in
Mr. Anthony Ameerally (right) hands over their contribution to Mr. Anil Beharry MEMOREX Enterprises, based at New Amsterdam Berbice, has added some financial weight to aid in the success of the Guyana Independence T20 Cup set to ignite the County of Berbice this Sunday at the Albion Sports Complex. Executive Director, Anthony Ameerally in complimenting the organisers on the initiative said that he is confident that the Chairman and other members of the organising committee will deliver a successful competition. He went on to say that his Company fully supports the development of sports and young people in the Region and Guyana as a whole. Ameerally said he is happy that proceeds from this high profile event will go towards charity. Receiving the cheque was Organising Committee Chairman Anil Beharry who said that he has known Mr. Ameerally from his school days and he is an ardent lover of the sport, one who has represented Guyana and Berbice at softball cricket for many years. Beharry said he was certain Mr. Ameerally would have supported the Independence Cup and as such, approached him for the sponsorship. Mr. Beharry is
very thankful for the support and said it contribute to the success of the event. Proceeds will go towards assisting with the development of sports in the region including First division clubs, Albion and Bermine, two schools and orphanages will also benefit. The organisers have also disclosed that they will consider supporting young Berbice talent in the field of culture; rehabilitation of the commentary booth at the Albion Sports Complex while the balance will be shared equally by the two organisations to fulfill their social obligations and community work under the “Power to Change Programme”. Meanwhile, the draw for the matches has already been completed. Clashing in the first game from 10:00hrs on Sunday will be Universal DVD Berbice Titans who will take on Karibee Rice Tigers. From 13:30hrs BK International East Coast Jaguars will oppose Georgetown Lions. The respective winners will clash in the grand final under lights from 18:30hrs. Fans can look forward to some exhilarating action with the best exponents of the sport in Guyana expected to play.
DCC A head Brain Street U-15 points table DCC-A with 140 points are currently leading the points table in the Georgetown Cricket Association\Brain Street U15 tournament. Gandhi Youth Organization is in second place with 129 followed GNIC 110, Everest 99, Transport Sports Club 62, DCC-B 60, Queens College 54, Ladies 49 and GCC 43. The competition is at its semifinal stage; DCC-A will play Everest and GYO will take on GNIC on a date to be decided.