As his two-month coaching education programme at Jain University’s high-performance eco-system in India draws to a close, Guyanese cricket coach Darien Best has ventured to north of the country to conduct workshops, coaching sessions and talent scouting exercises.
Best, a Cricket West Indies Level Two certified coach, forms part of a group of coaches representing The Sports School- attached to Jain University- who are spearheading the activity.
Director of Cricket at The Sports School and 1995 Ranji Trophy winner Rangaroo Ananth, Assistant Manager of The Sports School Dipanshu Sharma and former Lucknow Super Giants and former West Indies senior team Liaison Officer Rishi Sharma is accompany Best on three different exercises.
Coach Darien Best (right) with Director of Cricket at The Sports School and 1995 Ranji Trophy winner Rangaroo Ananth
Ananth, who played as an off-spinner alongside legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid in domestic cricket, was head of Karnataka state cricket for a number of years.
The first activity was held in Lucknow on April 18 attracting over 60 boys and girls aged 11-16 for each of the two sessions.
They then travel to Jammu on April 20 and Bagdogra on April 23. Best and team are being supported by local area coaches.
Those selected will be attached to The Sports School from the new term, starting May 17.
“More or less it’s to spread awareness of the school because The First School is the first integrated sports school in India,” Best told News Room Sport.
Coach Darien Best at the first activity in Lucknow on April 18
According to him, the school does four hours of academics and six hours of sports per day, with focus on cricket, badminton, tennis, table tennis, football and basketball on campus.
Best’s selection for the scholarship, endorsed by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) following his recent contributions to the Guyana Harpy Eagles during their Four-Day trials, reflects his growing reputation as a promising coach.
He is working closely with top-tier Indian high-performance coaches, gaining invaluable insights into modern coaching methodologies.
The programme at Jain University, renowned for its cutting-edge facilities and expertise, is designed to enhance coaching and athletic capabilities across various disciplines.
Following these sessions, Best, who is attached to the Demerara Cricket Club, will rejoin his Guyanese colleagues, who are in Bangalore as part of sport scholarship programme facilitated by Jain University through the government of Guyana.
Coach Best is joined in Bangalore by fellow Guyanese- table tennis players Nigel Bryan and Kristian Sahadeo, badminton coaches Frank Waddell and Akili Haynes, swimmer Paul Junior Mahaica, swimming coach Shanice Mahaica and basketball coach Warren Wilson.
The post Guyanese coach Darien Best on talent scouting exercise in North India appeared first on News Room Guyana.
