Guyana and Windies spinner Devendra Bishoo told youngsters at the 2018 Digicel/Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) Youth Cricket Series Coaching Clinic, to never stop pursuing their dreams to become cricketers.
Bishoo, a Digicel and CPL Brand Ambassador, was the star of the clinic held at the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Ground last Saturday when students of the West Demerara Secondary School benefited from tips by the Test player.
The 33-year-old took time off his training schedule with the Windies team, who were preparing for the first of two One-Day Internationals (ODIs) at Providence the following day. He spent the day of coaching and inspiring the students to chase their dreams, as it was his desire as a young lad to be a professional cricketer, a dream he realised with his current position as one of the top leg-spinners in the Caribbean and the Windies’ main spin weapon over recent years.
The Guyana Amazon Warriors player said that “it’s always an honour to share my knowledge and turn up to these events, because I was once like them”, as he told stories about his struggles coming up in his early years as a junior cricketer with little resources. He spoke about times when he carried bags for other cricketers and ran water for the team, before receiving the same treatment years later after he made strides.
A humble Bishoo reminded the students that the dedication they apply in school was similar to what was needed when pursuing a career as a professional cricketer.
In the end, it was an illustrious session, as the youngsters learnt bowling techniques and other handy tips from Bishoo, who had his hands filled with the excited students.
Digicel Guyana Communications Manager Vidya Sanichara, following the session, said the company was happy to have helped facilitate another stepping-stone for the budding players, since it was their goal to continue producing cricketers from the grassroots levels.
She said having students meet these international players whom they regard as idols was important for their careers as the knowledge and tips they get from these players were invaluable and as such, it was important to have these events.
Apart from Bishoo, his Guyana Jaguars Head Coach Esuan Crandon and his team of Coach Michael Hyles and Clive Grimmond conducted sessions with the students in bowling, batting and fielding. Teams were divided and coaches went to work as the students from West Demerara got a huge boost in their budding careers.
Students from six schools, one per participating Hero CPL country, were coached by their local CPL Coaches and got to meet and interact with a CPL player from their local team.
The programme started in Barbados and then travelled to Jamaica, St Lucia, St Kitts & Nevis, Trinidad & Tobago before wrapping up in Guyana. Roughly 360 students across the Region had one-on-one time with their cricket idols as part of the Coaching Clinics. (Clifton Ross)
