Kiddy Cricket returns

It is back! After an absence of two years, the Kiddy Cricket Programme has returned.

Dogged by a standoff between officials of the Ministries of Education and National Mobilisation etc., the programme was put on hold last year.{{more}}

A handing over ceremony of kits to seven primary schools symbolized the return of the introductory format that hopes to generate interest of Cricket to students of primary school age.

The handing over which took place last week Wednesday at the Arnos Vale Netball Complex saw eight schools receiving their kits.

Nine schools, though, will on March 12, during the second One-Day Cricket International between the West Indies and Zimbabwe at the Arnos Vale Playing Field, show off their skills during the innings break.

Speaking at the handing over, Norman Cumberbatch, representing sponsors Bank of Nova Scotia, said his organization was happy that the Kiddy Cricket Programme has been rekindled and pledged their continued support.

Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control Chief Executive Officer, Lennox John, who was then a West Indies Cricket Board Director in the 1990s when the programme was introduced, also echoed satisfaction of its return, and listed players who have come through the programme and gone on to represent St. Vincent and the Grenadines at various levels. He singled out Sunil Ambris, who has played for St. Vincent and the Grenadines at both the Under-15 and Under-19 levels, as well as the Windwards at both levels, and the Windwards Under-17. Ambris represented the West Indies at the CLICO Under-15 International stage here in the Caribbean in 2008, as one such notable beneficiary.

Also giving brief remarks were Director of Physical Education and Sports, Nelson Hillocks, and Roger Davis, who deputized for President of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association, Julian Jack.

The man who is responsible for conducting the training among the schools, Stanley Hinds, told SEARCHLIGHT that the remaining kits will be distributed in April, paving the way for an island wide Kiddy Cricket Competition which will take place in June.

The last time the competition was staged in 2008, the Paget Farm Primary from Bequia emerged the winners. (RT)