Youth cricket champions’ success hailed

The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) recognised the efforts of their Under-17 and Under-19 youth cricket teams with a special awards dinner in the President’s Suite of the world-renowned Kensington Oval on Friday evening.

The boys made history last year. They were the first Bajan team to capture the 50-over and two-day titles in the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Rising Stars Under-19 age category in St Vincent & the Grenadines, while the Under-17’s captured back-to-back double crown titles during their tournament held in Trinidad & Tobago over the summer.

All players, coaches, and management staff were rewarded for their efforts on tour with vouchers compliments Bridgetown Duty Free and Colombian Emeralds International.

As mentioned by Under-19 manager, Jabar Yarde, players excelled during the tournament and were rewarded for their talents. Fast bowler Raneico Smith and leg spinner Zishan Motara would have earned West Indies Academy contracts while Under-19 captain Nathan Sealy was drafted into the Barbados Royals squad for the Caribbean Premier League along with making his debut in the CWI Regional Super 50 Cup for the Barbados Pride team.

Yarde also thanked the cricket operations department at the BCA, sponsors SigniaGlobe Financial Inc and the parents of the boys for their sacrifices made to the teams over the years.

Under-17 manager Dwayne Best encouraged the parties in charge not to let our young players miss the many opportunities ahead of them in the cricketing world. Best quoted the American author, William Arthur Ward: “Opportunities are like sunrises, if you wait too long, you’ll miss them.” He further stated: “We must not let our young players miss their sunrise, let us provide them the opportunities and platform they need, to continue to learn and excel.”

Barbados players cleaned up the prestigious individual awards in both competitions with batting all-rounder Zachary Carter being named Player of the Tournament in the Under-17’s while fast bowling all-rounder Jatario Prescod got the award in Under-19 for the two-day competition, and wicketkeeper-batter Joshua Morris claimed it for the 50-over segment.

(ZM)