JCA launches 30th Kingston Wharves U-15 Championships

The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) yesterday launched the 30th staging of the Kingston Wharves Under-15 Cricket Championships at Sabina Park.

The programme, which started in 1989, has produced hundreds of local cricketers who have represented Jamaica and the West Indies with distinction – among them Christopher Henry Gayle, Wavell Hinds, and Chadwick Walton.

The 40-over competition, which bowled off on July 25, lasts for five weeks and ends on August 29. It features just under 400 of the country’s best national Under-15 players from 20 of the JCA’s clubs and parish associations being divided into four zones, each containing five teams.

A round-robin format will determine which two teams (winner and runner-up) from each zone progress to the knockout phase, which commences with quarter-finals. The competitions will be played at a wide variety of venues across the island.

SIGN OF COMMITMENT

Kingston Wharves CEO Grantley Stephenson noted, “this continued partnership is a signal of our commitment to the tournament over the years, and our firm belief in its main objectives of unearthing and honing cricket talent from an early age while exposing the young players to competition and instilling discipline and other important lessons.

“KWL also continues to be driven by our conviction that the storied and glorious history of West Indies cricket must be passed on to successive generations of cricketers.”

Meanwhile JCA president Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven added, “cricket is more than a sport; it is a tool for social change and a multibillion-dollar global business. Everything must be done to protect its legacy and ensure its longevity; Kingston Wharves is doing just that here in Jamaica.

“For three decades the business has stood by the Jamaica Cricket Association in ensuring that our age-group talent get more opportunities to sharpen their technical skills on the field while developing the necessary off-field characteristics which will give them a competitive advantage going forward.”

In addition to its $6 million sponsorship of the competition, Kingston Wharves will provide book vouchers for all players in the finals.

“The boys have everything to play for – pride, the prizes provided by the sponsor – but most of all, it’s a chance to get on the radar for national selection. This is where their careers truly can start to take form,” said Marlon Ramdeen, coach of defending champions Lucas Cricket Club.