Sports Minister wants to see Cricket Programmes in ill Primary Schools

Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Hon. Olivia Grange has said that in order for the sport of cricket to be kept alive, cricket programmes should be established in every primary school. Miss Grange, was speaking at a reception hosted by the Jamaica Cricket Association and KFC, at Sabina Park on Monday, (Nov. 5) for the Jamaica senior and under 19 cricket teams in celebration of their recent victories in the (one day) KFC Cup Limited Overs cricket competition, and the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge Limited Overs series, respectively. The Sports Minister called on private sector companies to play their part, by providing sponsorship to this end, and expressed appreciation to KFC, for its continued sponsorship of the regional tournament.
Miss Grange congratulated the teams, stating, “You have done well, you have made us proud, and I hope this is the beginning of a series of wins. You are good ambassadors of Jamaica, and we (the government) support good ambassadors”.
Meanwhile, in his remarks, Managing Director of KFC, Mark Myers said the company had spent US$183, 000 on the competition between 2005 and 2007, and that this backing came out of recognition that the sport remains very dear to Jamaicans. The competitions, he said, provide critical regional opportunity for cricketers to practice their craft.
President of the West Indies Cricket Board, Dr. Julian Hunte stated that the sport will prevail if the work that is required for retooling the West Indies team is done. He said the WICB is serious about ensuring that West Indies cricket becomes the envy of the world, taking its place in international cricket again. The senior team defeated Trinidad and Tobago by 28 runs in the finals in Barbados to lift their first regional title in eight years, while securing their sixth win following victories in 1984, 86, 87, 91 and 1999. The under 19 squad defeated Guyana by eight wickets in the finals of their competition, at Warner Park in St. Kitts, to claim the title in August.