Govt ready to increase support for youth cricket — Grange

KINGSTON, Jamaica (JIS) – Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, says the Government stands ready to provide support to get more young people engaged in cricket.

She noted that the success that the region enjoyed in the sport did not happen overnight but because “our young people were so socialized”.

“So, let us strengthen and restore what we do best; to build the sport from the bottom up. Let us continue to strengthen our school and youth programmers,” she said.

“Cricket is an expensive game, but we are ready to invest in our youths,” she added.

The Sport Minister was addressing a press conference hosted by the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) at Sabina Park on July 27 to launch the second Test match West Indies vs India to be held from July 30 to August 4 at Sabina Park.

India won the first Test of the four-match series, held from July 21 to July 25 at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

 Minister Grange encouraged Jamaicans to come out in their numbers to support the West Indies cricket team.

She noted that the match is being held at a time when the country is celebrating Emancipation and Independence activities and urged Jamaicans to make the event a part of their festivities.

“To those who are visiting Jamaica to celebrate... you should come to the match,” she said.

In her remarks at the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires of the Indian High Commission in Jamaica, Subbalaskshmi Mohan, said she was honoured to welcome the Indian team to the island and noted that the countries share a similar passion for cricket.

“Both Jamaicans and Indians are cricket enthusiasts, hence both sides are overwhelmingly excited about the upcoming cricket match,” she said.

Second Vice President of the JCA, Mark Neita, also urged persons to attend the match, which, he said, will feature activities for the entire family with a play area set up for children.

“We are encouraging everybody to come out, support the game, support the players,” he said.

Tickets are now on sale at Sabina Park. The cost is $1,500 for regular seats at the George Headley Stand, the Northern Stand and the lower seats, and $2,100 for the upper box seats.