Scotia Bank Kiddies’ Cricket Festival Held

By:Curtis Morton
The annual Scotia Bank Kiddies’ Cricket festival was held at the ET Willet Park on Tuesday 8th November.
Stascius Wallace of the Nevis Cricket Association, chaired the official opening ceremony and also delivered the invocation. In his opening remarks, he urged the young cricketers representing the various Primary schools across the island, to make the most of the opportunity being presented for them to develop their skills, complements of the West Indies Cricket Board and Scotia Bank.
Leeward Islands Territorial Development Officer, Junie Mitchum, who generally coordinates the program, stated that quite a number of promising young cricketers from Nevis, have come through the Kiddies’ cricket program and asked for a round of applause to salute them.
He also asked for a round of applause for Scotia Bank for its continued sponsorship of the program.
He noted that the festival provides an opportunity for the youngsters to develop their skills and also provides the coaches with an opportunity to assess the players.
He also saluted the efforts of the local coaches who assist with the program.
He asked the young cricketers to play hard, but play fair and most of all, have fun.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Mr. Keith Glasgow, also addressed the gathering.
He noted that Cricket is a vital part of our sporting culture and stated that it is a game that will always be embraced on the island.
He noted that there is no gender discrimination as there are male and female teams on the island.
He pointed the young cricketers to the many professional opportunities available through Cricket, which can provide lucrative professions.
He told them to grab the opportunity that is being provided, as the foundation is being laid at this stage, through the kiddies’ cricket festival. He commended all of the stakeholders who helped to make the event possible.
He then officially declared the one day event open.
Immediately after the opening ceremony, the various Primary schools engaged each other on the field of play, under the watchful eyes of the coaches on hand.
The top team of the day, was the Charlestown Primary School, which defeated the Elizabeth Pemberton Primary School, in the finals.