JCA-UTech alliance to benefit players

The Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and the University of Technology (UTech) yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that will see eight cricketers benefiting from full and part-time scholarships annually.

The MOU, which follows similar arrangements between UTech and other sporting bodies, will also see the JCA and UTech collaborating on a number of cricket administration development initiatives aimed at raising the standards of coaches, managers, curators, match officials among others.

"We are excited to be involved with cricket and the hope is that at the end of this partnership we would have played a role in helping to the West Indies attain successes of the 1970s and 1980s," said UTech president, Professor Errol Morrison at the signing, which took place in the President's Box, George Headley Stand, Sabina Park.

Scholarships

"It is only when we apply science and technology to sport that we will be able to attain and maintain high standards of performances, and as we have done with other sports, and UTech wants to help cricket."

According to Paul Campbell, president of the JCA, the scholarship recipients will be chosen on merit based on selection criteria established by a joint select committee of the JCA and UTech.

These students will then be allowed to pursue an area of study offered by UTech.

"It's a new day for Jamaica and, by extension, West Indies cricket as not only our cricketers, but club and parish association officials will now have the opportunity to expose themselves to high-level training which, over time, will help to lay solid foundations as we seek to take the sport forward," said Campbell.

The MOU is expected to start taking shape next year, in addition to the diploma and degree scholarship programmes which will be delivered via a series of lectures, symposiums and courses at UTech's recently established Faculty of Science and Sports.