The Primary schools’ cricket championship on Nevis, named in honour of the late West Indies middle order batsman, Nevisian, Runako Morton and sponsored by the TDC group of companies, for its 28th year, bowled off at the ET Willet Park, on Wednesday 21st June.
This, after a two-year hiatus, due to the covid-19 pandemic.
A brief but significant ceremony was ably chaired by Sports officer, Aljay Newton.
The invocation was delivered by Youth Pastor, Pastor Gene Amory and the national anthem of St. Kitts and Nevis was lustily rendered by Joycelyn Liburd Primary students, Naimah Hamilton and Dwanequa Elliot.
Among those addressing the young cricketers, were: President of the Nevis Cricket Association, Carlisle Powell, who challenged the youngsters to excel, as he and his Association will be scouting for new talent, to be drafted into an ongoing training program.
Sponsor’s rep, Thyrone Hendrickson, who was proud to note that his company has been sponsoring the tournament for 28 years and pledges to continue in the further development of the young cricketers.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Sports, Mr. Kevin Barrett, spoke on behalf of Sports Minister, Hon. Troy Liburd and asked the young cricketers to give their best, on and off the field.
It was noted that a Primary Schools’ All-star team will be selected from the tournament, which will engage their Kittitian counterparts, sometime in the future.
It was also revealed that TDC has extra big plans for their 30th year of sponsorship in 2025 and that a special committee will be put in place to execute said plans.
The official’s oath was read by Mrs. Govanie Hendrickson and the players’ oath was read by Jarvarni Hamilton of the St. Thomas’ Primary School.
Closing remarks and the vote of thanks, were delivered by Senior Sports Officer, Carl Tuckett.
Also present at the ceremony, was Mrs. Midge Morton, sister of the late Runako Morton and a cousin of hers, representing the family.
Immediately following the opening ceremony, two matches were played:
VOJN engaged IWPS and CPS faced off with JLPS.
There is one match scheduled for today-Thursday 22nd June: CPS will pit skills against the EPPS, at 1 pm at the ET Willet Park.
This of course depends on the weather conditions at the time.
The competing schools are: Defending champions (St. Thomas’ Primary (STPS); Charlestown Primary (CPS); Elizabeth Pemberton Primary (EPPS); Ivor Walters Primary (IWPS); Joycelyn Liburd Primary (JLPS) and Violet OJ Nicholls Primary (VOJN)