Flavorite foster love of cricket

It is for this reason that it is important for West Indies cricket not only to survive as an institution, but to rise again.

This was stated by Michael La Caille, marketing manager of Flavorite Foods Limited yesterday while delivering the feature address at the formal opening of the sixth Annual Flavorite Supreme Under-10 Cricket Development Programme.

The function took place at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Development Centre, Balmain, Couva.

The number of schools participating in this integrated school curriculum programme this year is 115, compared with 75 in 1999 when it was first established, according to Bachan Boochoon, who chaired the function and gave an overview of the project.

Boochoon was the coach of the Under-15 regional team that won the Costcutter World Cup in 2000 in England.

The programme is aimed at developing a love for the game and encouraging national participation.

The objectives are to introduce the fundamentals of the game in a modified way thus creating an atmosphere of fun and enjoyment; using strategies and equipment that are developmentally appropriate; offering opportunities for students to become interested in their own wellness.

Cricket is the centre of interest in the classroom with the focus falling on mathematics, physical education, language arts, art and craft, and social studies as well as history and geography.

According to the programme, classroom work would be done up to November 10; judging would be between November 10 to the 18; Skill Acquisition and Evaluation/Modified Games up to November 18; with National Awards taking place on November 24.

Flavorite’s La Caille said: "The mood of West Indians is affected more by cricket than any other activity. When the team is winning the mood is upbeat and positive and the converse occurs when we are losing as has been the case in the last few years.

"Great passion is aroused as we, the West Indian people, debate and grapple with the challenges and opportunities involved in once again producing a winning West Indian cricket team," he said.

He said since technology has enabled opposing teams to minutely scrutinise players, in order to devise match winning strategies, players must be technically sound, mentally strong and creative in problem solving on and off the field.

La Caille said that the Under 10 Cricket Development Pro-gramme, as part of the TTCB’s strategic thrust for taking the game forward, was specially designed to foster the development of the cricketers.

"Cricket administrators, teachers and the coaches hold the key to the future of West Indies cricket in your hands," he said.

Baldath Mahabir, second vice-president of the TTCB, congratulated the newly elected officers of the Primary School Cricket League and said he was looking forward to a sound partnership between the Cricket Board and the League in pursuing a smooth course for cricket development in Trinidad and Tobago.

Other speakers included Keith Sankar, third vice-president of TTUTA; Claire Matthias, Schools Supervisor 11, Caroni Education Division, and Anthony Ramjit, president of the Atlantic LNG Primary Schools Cricket League.