School children from four primary schools rehearsed at the Police Sports Complex ground yesterday in preparation for a half-time performance at the Providence stadium during the West Indies and Sri Lanka 2007 World Cup Super Eight match on April 1.
Three of the teams are winners of their county’s Scotiabank Kiddies cricket competition.
Cotton Tree Primary School of Berbice, Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School of Demerara and Sparta Primary School of Essequibo are the county winners while the fourth school, a special selectee for the event, is Sophia Primary School.
Territorial Development Officer of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Colin Stuart, assisted by seven coaches, coordinated the programme whereby the young girls and boys were put through several skill development modules which they will perform on the stadium turf.
Michael Hyles led the coaching staff which consisted of Ava Baker, Alfred Maycock, Brian Christiani, Orin Bailey, Rabindranauth Seeram and Ossie Waldron.
After three rehearsals in the blistering sun, Stuart said they were fairly pleased with the performance of the kids but the excited school children insisted on one more rehearsal.
Devi Persaud, a school-teacher at Cotton Tree Primary School, said she was excited and happy for the kids.
“The kids would definitely benefit from the exposure afforded by playing at the stadium during the mega event,” she answered in response to a question.
Persaud was assisted by coach Derick Lalsa, who indicated that he would be taking the kids to the D’ Edward Cricket Club ground to further sharpen their skills.
Nkomo Austin, a teacher at the Sophia Primary School, said the Sophia area had a bad reputation and the event was the perfect opportunity for the young charges to demonstrate a positive image for the area.
Shelly DaSilva and Odetta Parris, teachers from Demerara winners Vreed-en-Hoop, said their students were excited after winning the competition and realizing they were going to the stadium.
Sparta teacher, Parmesh Deonarine, said he was impressed by the discipline showed by the children after they got involved. “This can be a tool to encourage kids to stay in school,” he said.
Maureen Fraser, another teacher at the same institution concurred saying a difficult student was now their star player and his attitude towards school had improved tremendously.
Each primary school student participating in the event will be given a US$50 voucher to be spent at the stadium and they will be given category ‘A’ tickets for the event.
