Use T20 Wins to Increase Youth Participation in Cricket – Grange

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Hon. Olivia Grange, says the successes of the West Indies Cricket teams at the 2016 International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 tournament in India, must be used to inspire greater youth participation in the sport.

She was addressing a welcome home reception  for Jamaican members of the West Indies senior men’s cricket team at the Norman Manley International Airport on Tuesday, April 5.

Minister Grange said that more work must be done to generate interest in cricket at the school level. She noted that equipping schools with the necessary equipment is essential in building a stronger base for the development and growth of the sport.

The Sport Minister further  urged the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and players to find common ground on which trust and confidence can be built in order for the team to return to the pinnacle of world cricket.

“They need to work it out whatever the issues are. In the interest of West Indies cricket, they need to resolve those issues and I know they can be resolved,” she said.

Meanwhile, President of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Wilford “Billy Heaven” congratulated the Jamaican players Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor as well as the rest of the teams in the World Twenty20 competition.

Mr. Heaven noted that the performance of the players will serve to re-ignite interest in cricket, noting that greater opportunities can be realised from the wins.

Responding to the charge issued by the Sport Minister, the JCA President pledged to use the successes to expand the sport in schools.

“Already, we have started with a coach in every parish, who will work in the schools. Then, we will get into the age groups to build the talents coming right through to the senior cup, playing for Jamaica and the West Indies,” he said.

For his part, middle order batsman Marlon Samuels, who was named man-of-the-match for his 85 not out in the sensational victory over England in the finals, said he is cognizant of what the win means to the region.

He said the team’s success is in honour of the Caribbean region and not for any individual player.

Jerome Taylor echoed similar sentiments, noting that he wanted to make the region proud.

The win of the men’s team in Kolkata followed a sensational women’s final where the West Indies stunned favourites Australia.

The West Indies are the only team to have won two T20 world titles, after lifting the trophy in 2012.

The West Indies U-19 team won the World Cup in Bangladesh earlier this year.