-Initiative lauded as developmental pathway for local cricket
Some 75 primary schools, further broken down to 10 students from each school, – six boys and four girls – will take part in the 2nd edition of the Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ cricket programme.
While a date for the kickoff of the competition is yet to be announced, an overview of the nationwide initiative was disclosed yesterday, as the competition was launched at the Herdmanston Lodge on Peter Rose Street and Anira Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown.
Present at the launch were former West Indian and Guyana national cricketers, fast bowler Reon King (National Coordinator), Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Secretary Ronald Williams, National Sports Commission (NSC) Director of Sports Steve Ninvalle, and Head of the Allied Arts Unit (Ministry of Education) Nicholas Fraser.
At the launch, a moment of silence was held for the late Clyde Butts, who was a part of the first edition of the programme.
Addressing the gathering, which included students from three participating schools, King explained that the programme is geared for primary schools in the Under-12 category, which caters to both boys and girls. While 75 primary schools across various regions of Guyana will be participating, King noted that he wanted more but pointed out that the expansion of the programme “is a work in ogress.” Bartica (region 7) has been included this year, along with schools from the three counties of Essequibo, Demerara, and Berbice. In the initial phase of the competition, King revealed that the respective counties would be further divided into zones.
While the Five for Fun competition is all about promoting equality in cricket, King noted, “It will add to the player development pathway and to the coaching sector as well. The programme is also designed to nurture social and life skills as well as develop cricket skills.”
In preparation for the competition, each school will have at least 15 sessions of coaching before the actual competition. While the first phase of the competition will be played in the respective zones, it will head into the county stage, followed by play-offs, and culminate in the final. It is mandatory for both boys and girls to bowl, and each child will bat one over, all in keeping with the theme of promoting equality. While there will be unlimited dismissals, the cost of each dismissal will be deducted. All the normal cricket rules will be enforced, and it will be mandatory to bowl overhand. Harry Dass Ghaness was on hand to represent sponsors Republic Bank and noted that it was a “pleasure to be here for the launch of the Republic Bank Five for Fun cricket programme. At Republic Bank, we firmly believe in the development of youth in sports. We firmly believe that investing in youth is investing in the future of the country.” He spoke about last year’s programme being a tremendous success, bringing together hundreds of children, and commended the GCB and the Ministry of Education for their unwavering support.
Director of Sport, Ninvalle, who was on hand to declare the programme open, noted that it is a “very exciting time in Guyana as it relates to sports.”
“Guyana has been doing well internationally due to the fact that we are paying close attention to our nursery, and the Five for Fun is a very important nursery. The government of Guyana continues to play its part in not only the development of cricket but in all disciplines of sport,” he explained. While All Saints Primary School from Berbice are the defending champions, the increase in participating schools will be sure to provide a challenge. (Michelangelo Jacobus)
