School Kriket produces international cricketers

Sports

SCHOOL Kriket programme producing international cricketers
The 14-man Papua New Guinea Under-19 Garamuts squad that left for Apia, Samoa, on Saturday to compete at the 2018 International Cricket Council (ICC) 19 Cricket World Cup East Asia Pacific (EAP) qualifier have all come through the BSP School Kriket Programme.
The programme which reached a record 188,407 participants in PNG last year had paved the way for future international cricketers with the entire Hebou-sponsored Garamuts squad being a product of the leading junior sports development programme in PNG.
This is the first time since the programme was launched in 2009 that an entire national team has come through the junior cricket development programme.
Cricket PNG’s regional/Kriket Blo Olgeta (KBO) coordinator Vaianna Gabba said the selection of the Garamuts squad was a testament to the school cricket programme.
“We are proud to say that 100 per cent of the 14 players selected for the Garamuts are products of the BSP School Kriket Programme,” Gabba said.
“It is a result that the junior development programme of Cricket PNG funded by BSP was doing a great job of producing good cricketers, who are going on to make national teams.
“Credit must go to the schools, teachers and the development officers for their hard work.”
Garamuts captain Vagi Karoho who went to Pari Primary School, learned cricket through the BSP School Kriket Programme and acknowledged the programme as the best pathway for junior cricketers.
“I have seen the programme as the best pathway for junior cricket. And I believed that being part of it has made me a better cricketer which I am thankful for. Cricket is a sport that I love.”