GraceKennedy gives life to schoolboy cricket

Chairman of rural cricket for ISSA George Henry believes that with the injection of $10 million into the sport by First Global Bank, a member of the GraceKennedy Group, the sport could rise again locally.

"We know GraceKennedy is an international company who has always supported ISSA," he said. "As we know, cricket, to some people, is a dying game. However, we are trying to ensure that cricket takes off again."

Henry pointed out that despite St Elizabeth Technical High School winning both the Headley Cup and the all-island Spalding Cup, many young people are not into cricket anymore.

He is hoping that with the introduction of the T20s set to start on May 2, attention could once more be drawn to the sport.

"If we can have the game being played on a more regular basis like how we are taking on T20s this year, we could have more people coming out to cricket. If more people come out to cricket, with the support of GraceKennedy, I am sure that the game people believe is dying will come back in all its glory," said Henry.

Vice-President of Digital marketing and Communication at First Global Bank Dave DaCosta, noted that they are fully committed to the growth and development of schoolboy cricket.

"GraceKennedy has been committed to sponsoring this event for over a decade, and we remain committed to raising the standard of schoolboy cricket across the island. We continue to work and support ISSA, the schools, and their coaches in moulding our young cricketers, some of whom we are confident will move on to the professional level," said DaCosta.