Flavorite project impresses cricket chief

West Indies’ Chief Cricket Development Officer, Dr Michael Seepersad confesses to being impressed with the Youth Cricket Coaching Scheme Programme in Trinidad and Tobago.. So much so that he would like to introduce some aspects of it in other territories  in the region. Dr Seepersad said so in his feature address at the recent closing ceremony of the Trinidad and Tobago  Cricket Board’s Flavorite  Supreme Under-10 Cricket Development Programme at the Sir Frank Worrel Cricket Development Centre, Balmain, Couva. At the Under-10 level, Dr Seepersad was excited at the prospects he has seen for the game with boys and girls taking part from 127 Primary Schools in the country. He pointed out that it was a female who introduced overarm bowling to the game. “And that says a great deal,” he said.

Dr. Seepersad agreed with a previous speaker, Vikki Rampersad, a teacher at Exchange Presbyterian, who gave a participant’s perspective of the project, who pointed out that “the heritage of cricket emotionally unites the West  Indies.” “What I have seen here today is an eye-opening event  which I would like to replicate in the other territories,” Dr Seepersad said. He praised the TTCB for initiating a coaching programme for pupils of primary schools. “This is where the foundation should really begin, just as though one is building a house, and at that stage  you begin to develop discipline, balance, all round skills,  good judgment, and co-ordination on, all of which would be of value in restoring the image of West Indian cricket in the long run,” Dr Seepersad said.

“Cricket is more and more becoming a mental and scientific game  and the fact that you have successfully introduced it in Trinidad and Tobago among so many schools, under the sponsorship of Flavorite Ice Cream, would help the pupils to widen their appreciation of the sport when they integrate it with other subjects on the curriculum,” he said. “And we hope that this would lead them to becoming more involved in the game and consequently to attain greater competence in the interest and welfare of the region,” he said.

He then threw out some questions  to the gathering on West Indies Cricket, and from the answers he received, recommended to teachers that they needed to teach more history of the game to their charges. Avril Sampson, Schools Supervisor II, Port-of-Spain and Environs Educational District, represented the Ministry of Education. “We will always support this programme  as it aims at promoting cricket, a game that is a unifying force in the country,” Sampson said. The project was conducted under the guidance of Kumar Rampat, a Trinidadian who is the Territorial Cricket Development Officer and a member of the Coaching Committee of TTCB. This committee is under the chairmanship of Baldath Mahabir, second vice-president of the TTCB.

Prizes were awarded to —
Teacher of the Programme —  Charmaine Pariag, of Elswick Presbyterian
Schools Classroom Segment —  1, Elswick Presbyterian; 2.Guaico Presbyterian; 3. Exchange Presbyterian; 4. Tortuga Government.;
Match Play Segment —  1.Cumana Anglican; 1. Diamond Vale Government;
Books —  Daniel Partap (Elswick Pres); 2. Tiffany Rampersad (Guaico Pres); 3 Nadita Chliiar (Guaico Pres); 4. Rianne Alexander (Guaico Pres); 5. Diniessse Nancoo (Guaico Pres); and Antonio Cadeno (Elswick Pres); 7.Giselle Sibran and Shenelle  Seunarine (both of Elswick Pres); 9. Tiffany Ramnarine (Exchange Pres); and 10. Jayanne Williams (Tortuga Govt).
Art and Craft—  1. Standard 3 Class of Point Cumana RC; 2. Giselle Sibran (Elswick Pres); 3. Standard 3J of Point Fortin Anglican; 4. Aneilla Misir of Exchange Presbyterian; 5. Daniel Partap  of Elswick Presbyterian; 6, Standard 3 Class of Edinburgh  Government; 7. Ariel De Freitas of Sangre Grande Government; 8. Donnka Brone of La Horquetta South Government; 9. Strandard 3 Class of Caparo RC; 10.Celene Castanada of Mathura Government.