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guyanatimesgy.com
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2014
Andre Percival satisfied in role Young Tiger roars as U-19s bounce back as cricket coach I
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have no regrets, I love what I am doing, it gives me a sense of fulfilment and joy to be able to impart my knowledge to these youths and motivate them to excel and therefore achieve their goals.” These are the words of former Guyana Under 19 Captain Andre Ricardo Percival who is now involved in coaching in Berbice. Percival, one of the more successful Under 19 captains for Guyana, but failed to break into the senior team, told Berbice Times he is very happy at the Albion Sports Complex where he coaches over 30 young cricketers, five days per week. Percival said he is happy to be giving back to the youngsters everything he learnt during his stint playing the game of cricket. “The values learnt on the playing field, how to set goals, endure, and take criticisms and risks and to become a team player… Good team spirit builds up the confidence of every individual. Even when you are playing badly, the team can pull you through it with the right words and action. Knowing someone is backing you all the way is a powerful way to improve your own performance and the results of your team, this is what I wish to impart to our young players, to be confident and excel,” he posited. He is currently involved in coaching players from the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, ranging from Under 13-19 and senior players. He underscored the need for them to be challenged, to set standards to be followed and goals to be fulfilled; thus enabling
Percival awaiting passengers for his trip to Georgetown
them to move up the ladder of success – from club, to nationals and internationals. Percival said because of the positive experience gained during his tenure with the West Indies team, he felt motivated and compelled to give back what he gained. “The response has been overwhelming, they are improving daily and are learning rapidly in every aspect of the game, be it bowling, batting or fielding,” he assured, while noting the enforcement of discipline helps to ensure a more efficient and respectful team. “I miss cricket, but after one time is another… I never thought of returning to play because of age, I am happy to continue as a coach and at the end of
the day, I know for a fact I have given back to society,” he asserted. He is also of the view that Berbice needs more recreational facilities, since there are so many youths in the area who are turning to illicit activities. “Yes definitely, we need more facilities so our young people can utilise and more specifically our females, they too need something and somewhere they can go and unwind,” he said, insisting that more needs to be done in the ancient county regarding sport. His advice to youths is to stay away from drugs and crime, say no to suicide and stay focused, train hard, know your objectives and stick to their education. The former left-hand batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler revealed that apart from coaching sessions, he also chauffeurs his car (taxi transport) where he plies the Berbice to Georgetown route. However, he pointed out that it is just a way of earning some extra, and much-needed, finances. “ It’s just so I can earn a few more dollars, there is always a need for more cash right... my first love is cricket and I am content being a coach and it pleases me to see my players perform at various levels,” he stated. Andre Ricardo Percival who hails from Rose Hall Town, was born January 5, 1975, is a proud Berbician and a former West Indian cricketer. He captained the West Indian Under-19 cricket team in 1994 and has played first-class, List A and Twenty20 cricket for Guyana in a career which spanned from 1992 to 2006.
One of the teams Percival coaches
Plans on stream to develop Vrymens Erven Basketball Court
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resident of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation (GABF) Nigel Hinds has expressed concern over the lack of proper facilities for the sport in Berbice and says the federation will be assisting with the development of basketball in Berbice. Following a recent visit to the Vrymens Erven Court in New Amsterdam, which is considered the premier basketball court in Berbice, Hinds said the absence of a proper scoreboard and the fact that the court becomes inundated with water as a result of rain are major concerns. “In terms of the skill level of the players, they have a good base for de-
velopment.” However, he said that there are teams whose uniforms do not carry the player’s number printed on the back and front. This he added is a requirement for the sport. “Coaches should be properly attired. They should not be coaching in slippers. It is these kinds of administrative issues that we have to look at.” Hinds noted that Courtney Benn Contracting Services has promised to resurface the entire court. He is urging the newly elected executive of the Berbice Amateur Basketball Association (BABA) to pursue the issue. “We at the federation feel good that the Anamayah family has put
some money into basketball.” He was at the time referring to the current Anamayah Memorial Tournament. Meanwhile, the national basketball playoffs, which kick-off on March 1 and concludes on March 23 will see five teams for Berbice participating. “Apart from covering the cost for teams from Linden and Berbice coming to the [Cliff Anderson] Sports Hall, every team that participates will receive prize monies, then we also looking at facility development.” This he said will see the Vrymens Erven Court getting new back boards and bleachers. “There are only benches
for the players, none for the spectators so we will try to work with the business community to have some kind of donation from them to help with these aspects.” Treasurer of the BABA Clement De Noberga has promised to donate a new scoreboard to the association. Hinds says as it relates to facility improvement, the Vrymens Erven Court was identified by GABF. “We want to renovate and upgrade and this will be given priority. Just because we know that of the three sub-associations, Berbice is the weakest.”
Tagenarine Chanderpaul
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est Indies resurrected its campaign at the ICC Under-19 World Cup with a crushing 167-run win over Zimbabwe in a Group C fixture at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi. After misfiring with the bat in its 94-run loss to South Africa in the tournament opener, West Indies came up with a much improved show after opting to bat on Sunday (February 16). Leading the way was Tagenarine Chanderpaul, son of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who made an unbeaten 84 in the team’s total of 275 for 6 in 50 overs. The new ball pair of Jerome Jones and Ray Jordan carried forward the good work to rip through Zimbabwe’s top order in no time. At 21 for 4 inside the first ten overs, Zimbabwe needed a miracle of sorts to just reduce the margin of defeat. But that wasn’t to be as Preston McSween returned figures of 3 for 34 as Zimbabwe folded up for 108 in 39.4 overs. What was heartening for West Indies was the resolve shown by the batsmen after being bowled for out a paltry 104 against South Africa on Friday. Each of the top six got off to starts but the platform of the innings was built on two important partnerships. Tagenarine and Shimron Hetmyer put on 69 for the opening wicket, but the foundation was strengthened during the third-wicket association of 74 between Tagenarine and Jonathan Drakes. Drakes perished for a 54-ball 50, but cameos from Nicolas Pooran and Brandon King helped West Indies smash 68 off the last six overs and finish with a competitive total. With the heart of the Zimbabwe’s batting order back in the hut inside the Power Play overs, Kieran Geyle, the No. 8 batsman, did his credentials no harm by scoring an unbeaten 63-ball 45. With just two other batsmen crossing double figures, Geyle could merely delay the inevitable as Jordan hammered the final nail in the coffin with the wicket of Herbert Chikomba. The defeat could have an adverse effect on Zimbabwe’s net-run-rate ahead of a must-win clash against South Africa on Tuesday.
Summary Scores:
West Indies Under-19 Innings: 275/6 (50 Overs) Tagenarine Chanderpaul 84*, Jonathan Drakes 40, Shimron Hetmyer 49, Nicholas Pooran 27; Malcolm Lake 6-0-43-2, Deven Bell 8-0-36-1, Herbert Chikomba 10-0-46-1, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe 4-0-19-0. Zimbabwe Under-19 Innings: 108 All Out (39.4 Overs). Kieran Geyle 45*, Deven Bell 14, Charles Kunje 10, Luke Jongwe 9; Preston McSween 7-2-14-3, Ray Jordan 8.10-32-3, Jerome Jones 8-0-13-2, Gudakesh Moti-Kanhai 9-219-1.