Blairmont club completes annual cricket camp

The Blairmont Centre Cricket Club (BCCC) last weekend completed its annual summer camp, which forms part of its drive to increase the club’s membership while tutoring youngsters on the fundamentals of the sport.

The two-week camp, which attracted over 50 youths between ages 11 and 16, was reported to be a successful one by the coordinator and former president of the club, Shabeer Baksh.

“Baksh said some youngster came with natural talent, while some are new to the sport. He assured all attendees have been educated and all the planned fun activities will last in the memories of the youth for a long time.  He mentioned the theme of the camp “Options for Youths” has been covered,” the BCCC said in a press statement.

A small presentation ceremony was held at the Roy Fredericks Pavilion at the Blairmont Estate Ground where 52 participants were presented with a coaching on batting and bowling Compact Disc and a certificate of participation.

Gifts and trophies were donated by BCCC, the Berbice Cricket Board and the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, Seon Glasgow Jr., Republic Bank and the New Building Society.

“The camp focused on basics skills in cricket- batting, bowling, fielding, wicket-keeping along with other aspect of being a positive individual. Topics such as time management, leadership, the importance of education, discipline, alcohol, drug abuse and other social ills were covered,” the BCCC added.

The coaches involved in the camp were former Guyana and West Indies pacer Colin Stuart, senior Academy coach Michael Hyles and Berbice senior coach Winston Smith.

Former Berbice Under-15 player Dr. Zulfikar Bux covered sports and health and also touched on the importance of education.

He encouraged the participants to find the right balance of living, adding that it is important to set goals and work hard to achieve them.

President of the Berbice Cricket Board, Hilbert Foster, encouraged the youths to say no to drugs so that they can become good ambassadors of BCCC, Berbice and Guyana.

The club also held a fun day for the participants at the Estate Pool, while arrangements have been made for a two-day stay in Georgetown where the Under-15 and Under-16 teams will play Everest and Georgetown Cricket Club respectively.

At the closing ceremony, BCCC president Mohamed Hussain reminded the youths of the opportunity that has been offer to them, and the need to continue to practice and work extra hard to be on top.

He informed the participants that the club will continue to work in their best interest. Hussain thanked Baksh and all others who made the camp a success, especially the sponsors.