This was the initial response of local cricketing all-rounder Keron Cottoy, upon receiving word that he had been called up to a West Indies training camp, to be held in Trinidad.
Cottoy, a graduate of The University of the West Indies, was happy to be part of the regional team set up.
“Obviously, I am ecstatic about the opportunity; it’s something we all as youngsters work towards and you know having a call like that I am pretty much excited,” he admitted.
Cottoy’s call-up came when fellow Vincentian Sunil Ambris pulled out from the training camp.
Notwithstanding the circumstances that gave rise to the opportunity, Cottoy remarked, “It’s a great opportunity. It pays to work hard. There is no substitute for hard work; once you continue to work hard, God will definitely reward.”
He added, “Now is definitely the time for me to be rewarded in that regard. It’s an opportunity I have been looking forward to and I am happy it came when it did.”
Apart from his batting and bowling skills, Cottoy is rated as one of the best fielders in regional cricket. He credits his recent performance as contributing to the call-up.
“For the last couple seasons my performances both with bat and ball, and obviously no one questions my fielding, so I think because of the different elements of my game that I bring to the table, I think that’s why I got the nod,” he said.
And as for how he intends to approach the opportunity, he said, “I am just going to learn as much as possible which will be a key aspect of my own personal growth, and just to have fun; just be my energetic self and continue to grow as a cricketer and as a person.”
A contracted player with the Windward Volcanoes Franchise, Cottoy feels getting to this point in his career is a reward.
He advises the young players to live their dream. “It’s just about being patient. Once you put in that hard work, the rewards will come at some point. You might not see it right away but the universe usually rewards hard work.”
Source : Ian Allen for The Vincentian
