The Albion Community Centre Cricket Club is set to launch the 23rd edition of its annual Cricket Academy on Monday, August 4, 2025, at the Albion Community Centre Ground. The initiative continues to be a hallmark event in the club’s youth development agenda, with over 60 young cricketers between the ages of 8 to 17 expected to participate in the six-day programme.
Former WI Leg-Spinner Devendra Bishoo (left) handing over the sponsorship cheque on behalf of Mr. Nizul Hussain to the Club’s Secretary – Naieem Khan in the presence of the Club’s President – Vemen Walter (right) and other Exectives of the Club. Several Young Cricketers are in the background.
This year’s edition is once again being sponsored by former Albion cricketer turned businessman, Nizul Hussain, who has injected over $330,000 into the academy through his company, Northeast Connecticut Renovation and Retailers Property Management. Hussain, who represented Albion at all levels before migrating to the United States, is now in his fourth consecutive year of sponsoring the event.
Speaking via telephone during a simple launching ceremony held at the Albion Community Centre’s Main Hall, Hussain expressed his pride in giving back to the institution that helped shape his personal and athletic growth. “This club has played a vital role in my development, not just as a cricketer but as an individual. I am a product of the Albion Cricket Academy and fully understand the value it brings to the development of young people,” he stated.
President of the Albion Community Centre Cricket Club, Vemen Walter, lauded Hussain’s continued commitment. “Like many other former Albion cricketers, Mr. Hussain continues to remember his roots. This academy is a key fixture in our calendar and has contributed significantly to the grooming of young cricketing talents. The 2025 edition will undoubtedly continue that legacy,” Walter noted.
Daily sessions will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., with morning lectures focusing on critical topics such as education, discipline, public speaking, substance abuse, health and safety, motivation, and the laws of cricket. The afternoons will be dedicated to on-field training in the fundamentals of the sport.
Heading the coaching team is former West Indies opener and Albion product Sewnarine Chattergoon, who serves as the club’s Head Coach. He will be joined by fellow West Indies cricketers Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, as well as experienced coaches Zameer Khan and Fabian Naiken, the latter having travelled from Canada to lend his expertise.
Several other national-level coaches are also expected to conduct specialized sessions throughout the week.
The academy is further supported by financial contributions from Chattergoon and Bishoo, while former Albion and Guyana U-19 off-spinner Orvin Mangru, now a contractor, has donated 30 cricket balls through his company, Orvin Mangru Contracting Services.
Coordination of the academy is being overseen by the club’s Administrative Officer, Simon Naidu.
