GCB engages Harpy Eagles players to bridge ‘perceived relationship-distance’

Executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) on Wednesday met with players and management staff of the Guyana Harpy Eagles, as the squad heads off to compete in the Cricket West Indies’ CG United Super50 Cup, starting this weekend.

“The engagement was geared at assisting with closing the perceived relationship-distance between players and executives,” the GCB said in a release issued on Thursday.

Harpy Eagles, who left for Trinidad on Thursday morning, will begin their campaign in the tournament on October 31 against Windward Islands Volcanoes at Queen’s Park Oval.

In addressing the gathering, President of the GCB, Bissoondyal Singh, began by commending the players on their selection and urged them to capitalise on the opportunities.

“We are aware of your expertise, and are highly confident that you will excel consistently throughout the CG United Super 50 Tournament. As a board, given the available resources we were able to run-off the Senior Inter-County Tournament after an absence for over five years,” Singh told the players.

“Additionally, we took all necessary steps to ensure that all matches were livestreamed, including a livestream test of the final between the seemingly improving Essequibo team and the eventual champions Berbice. This livestream test of the final targeted the Indian subcontinent comprising of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan through a partnership agreement with a promotion firm registered in India.”

Singh enlightened the players that while this partnership is in its infancy stage, the GCB intends to administer and promote cricket in a “big and professional way” which will promote players within and outside the Caribbean region and in general Guyana’s cricket product.

“Further, we facilitated two practices matches. I must mention that all of these activities, Senior Inter-County, the livestreaming of the event and the hosting of the practice matches were financed solely by the GCB. I say this so that you can get a better understanding of the demands the GCB is faced with given its limited resources and substantial efforts we are taking to ensure that all involved in the game has a fair and equitable (opportunity) to represent Guyana.”

The GCB head also outlined plans to improve on facilities, with the aim of affording players the “best possible training environs” to develop their skills.

“The GCB continues to examine ways to improve the training facilities available to you the players, and (we) are in receipt of estimates to upgrade the GCB’s practice facility at LBI. While we will be utilising other facilities in the execution of our duties as a board, we believe that the core group of national players at all levels must be given the best possible training environs to nurture and develop their skills. Our ability to train under floodlights will also aid in our competitive preparations.”

Singh added: “As you journey to begin this year’s CG United Super50 challenge, it is the hope of the executive members of the GCB, that our meeting here will inspire you to bond and play as a team and to lift the CG United Super50 championship trophy for 2022. Go forward confidently, be positive, play as a team, and achieve your set individual and team goals.”

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The squad reads: Leon Johnson (Captain), Veerasammy Permaul (Vice-Captain), Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Gudakesh Motie, Shimron Hetmyer, Romario Shepherd, Kemol Savory, Sherfane Rutherford, Tevin Imlach, Quentin Sampson, Anthony Bramble, Nial Smith, Kevin Sinclair and Clinton Pestano.

The management staff: Albert Clements (Manager), Ryan Hercules (Head Coach), Garvin Nedd (Assistant Coach), Angelica Holder (Physiotherapist) and Kheshava Ramphal (Cricket Analyst).