'Kiddies' are the future

With the West Indies not among the elite in world cricket, coupled with the fact that the regional game faces stiff competition from other sports, television and the Internet, innovative ways have to be found to incorporate the youngsters across the region into the game from an early age.

Scotiabank has been playing a part in the process with their sponsorship of the Kiddy Cricket programme for the past 12 years. The programme has started bearing fruit, as it has yielded representatives for the West Indies in the form of fast bowler Kemar Roach and batsman Kraigg Brathwaite.

Another crop of Kiddy Cricketers have been getting the chance to step on a pitch that has been graced by past and present cricketing greats. The Kiddies have been displaying their skills during the luncheon interval of the just-concluded first Test against India at Sabina Park.

West Indies female cricketers, all-rounders Stafanie Taylor and Shanel Daley, were on hand to motivate the players, particularly the girls.

Regional sponsorship manager with Scotiabank, Simone Hull, expressed her company's pleasure at being involved in the pro-gramme and pledged their continued support.

"We have been supporting cricket in the region for close to 13 years and we have been exclusive sponsors of Kiddy Cricket for as long," Hull said. "When the programme was introduced we were the first to come on board, and we have been the title sponsor and exclusive sponsor of Kiddy Cricket."

She added: "We are committed to the sport, whether it is up or down; we are in it for the long haul and we believe in cricket and the power of cricket. It is something that we love and will continue to support."

Scotia has been working with two legends of the game, Jeffrey Dujon and Joel Garner, to promote the sport across the region.

"I was quick to endorse Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket as it is developing the future of cricket which I love so much," Dujon shared. "At present, it is healthy recreation for the children, teaching them discipline, teamwork and leadership skills, which are important elements in character building for youngsters."

- R.J.