CHARLESTWON Nevis,  March 28th 2011 - Marketing Manager of DIGICEL—the bigger, better network, Marsha Lindo,  indicated on Friday that her company will continue to lend support to positive programs that aid in the development of the youth.  This she said at the launching ceremony of the WICB Grass roots cricket program in Nevis held on Friday 25th March. The program is sponsored by her company and she noted that it is a long term plan aimed at the sustainability of West Indies cricket at the international level.  She told the young cricketers that this was their ‘opportunity to shine’ and noted that her company will be providing bats, pads, head gear etc for the program –‘and maybe even cell phones’, she said laughing.

The ceremony which was preceded by prayer by Pastor Stephen Liburd and the national anthem rendered by the young cricketers, was chaired by Mr. Alsted Pemberton, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports who in his opening remarks noted that the program caters for young cricketers aged 12 to 17 and is a follow up to the Scotia Bank sponsored Kiddie’s program which caters for individuals 6 to 11 years. He also encouraged the young cricketers to make the best of such opportunities as he noted that his Ministry already facilitates a grass root program of its own helped in a big way by the Bank of Nevis and the Four Seasons Resort. He further revealed that the program will serve to assist some 2, 600 youths across the region and will involve about 118 Coaches.

President of the Nevis Cricket Association Ronald Powell was high in praise for the sponsors Digicel as he gave an overview of the program.  He indicated that the program will involve more that just the rudiments of the game as such aspects as talking to the media; how to assess challenges in a match situation and how to handle the resulting pressures will be dealt with by the local and internationally recognized coaches from Nevis.  He urged the youngsters to be respectful and challenged the Coaches to be good examples.

The key note address was delivered by Minister of Sports, Hon Hensley Daniel who reminded the attentive audience that his Government was very cricket conscious, as a fair number of his cabinet colleagues have headed the Nevis Cricket Association in the past.  He also told the youngsters that currently ‘the West Indies team is very easy to make’ and urged them to make the best of the opportunities being provided for their future development and urged them to stay away from negative vices and anti social behaviour.

He then declared the program open.

The young cricketers will be trained by the top cricket coaches on Nevis which include:  Stuart Williams, Deryck Parry; Carl Tuckett, John Maynard and Elquemedo Willet who were all present at the opening ceremony. 

A similar exercise will be launched in St.Kitts later this week.