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By Neto Baptiste
The Antigua and Barbuda Falcons, by the end of this year’s Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which is set to climax on September 21 in Guyana, will be jumpstarting plans for the establishing of a cricket academy here in Antigua.
This is according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Antigua-based franchise, Jeff Miller, who said they will collaborate with local and regional bodies in putting the important aspect of youth and cricket development in place.
“We just don’t want to be here during CPL, we want to have a presence in Antigua 365 days per year. So that academy will be established with the assistance of the Ministry of Sports, the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) the Leewards cricket association [Leeward Islands Cricket Board] and we are looking to provide scholarships, provide opportunities right here. Right after CPL, we will sit down with the authorities here and have that in place and so that’s my main goal when CPL is finished,” he said.
In April 2024, Miller made a similar announcement but did not give a timeline as to when the academy would have been launched. He said the academy will serve as a pathway for young players to reach the national team and the CPL team.
He also said that a number of local players will get the opportunity to rub shoulders with the Falcon okayers during local net sessions as the team prepares for their opening round of matches in this year’s CPL.
“Any time you enter a tournament you want to win that tournament because that’s your ultimate goal but also to provide the economic benefits and to also give opportunities to the younger upcoming players in Antigua to come to a game, see a game and to be part of the set-up.
“I was talking to one of the managers here in Antigua about the net bowlers, [and] the net bowlers will have an opportunity to come to the nets to bowl to Imad Wasim, Fabian Allen, Jayden Seales, Amir Jangoo. You have an opportunity for the younger players to come and socialize, to be in the dressing room, to practice with these guys and t helps the development of cricket here in Antigua,” he said.
Falcons will open their campaign against the St Kitts & Nevis Patriots on August 14 in St Kitts before their first home games two days later.
“Following their clash against Barbados here, the Falcons host St Lucia Kings on August 17th before hosting Trinbago Knight Riders three days later. Falcons then take on Guyana Amazon Warriors at home on August 22 before hosting neighbours St Kitts two days later on August 24.
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