Scotia Kiddy Cricketers urged to believe and achieve

Schnoor was the feature speaker yesterday and gave an insight into her background living in Jamaica and the integral role of the sport in Caribbean society.

“Yes, I am from Jamaica, and growing up in Jamaica is just like Trinidad in terms of cricket being a much loved sport and pastime.

Cricket plays an integral role in the social fabric of our society as it instils a deep passion in the hearts of the Caribbean people. It is very rare to find a unifying force that surpasses all boundaries of age, gender or race.” She continued, “Scotiabank sees the Kiddy Cricket Programme as a means of passing on the West Indian culture and the positive values that come through playing the sport. At Scotiabank, we believe that everyone has the right to become better off. Through the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket programme, our boys and girls not only learn about the sport that we in the Caribbean are very proud of, but they are provided with the tools to help them become well rounded individuals.

The programme teaches the basics of the sport but also life skills such as team work, discipline and integrity that will benefit them for a lifetime.” Last year marked the formal expansion of the Kiddy Cricket programme here in Trinidad and Tobago with double the number of participants. This year, 120 schools will be participating with 60 of them newcomers.

Also, present at yesterday’s launch was Azim Bassarath, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) who stated that the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme over the years has trained teachers, provided equipment, supplied educational aids, and afforded implementation opportunities for the immeasurable benefit of the nation’s children.

“We as responsible adults recognise the ever-increasing need for positive guidance, the inculcating of proper value systems and the need for healthy living amongst our youth,” Bassarath said.

He said the Scotiabank Kiddy Cricket Programme affords much more than instilling good cricket skills, sportsmanship, leadership, discipline, honesty, self-esteem, and inter-personal relationships.

Bassarath said that scientific research has shown conclusively that there are linkages between sport and physical activity, and the early development of children who are given the opportunity.

“Sports-based programmes have been shown to improve the learning performance of children, encourage school attendance, and foster a desire to succeed academically.

What more can we ask for our children,” he asked rhetorically.