12-year-old Egi wins award despite losing cricket friendly

By NATHAN WOTI
TWELVE-year-old No Fear Daromias all-rounder Dickson Egi won an award despite their loss to Pari Bigfoot Tsunamis in the inaugural Hetura match in Tubusereia, Central, on Friday.
The fixture is an initiative of Childfund in partnership with Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG).
Egi opened the batting for the hosts but failed to impress after recording no runs from six balls. He was run-out by the visitors.
Despite the result, Egi was handed the youngest player award.
He told The National that he was enjoying “being out here with my friends and family”.
“It is fun and relaxing. I really like the programme,” Egi said.
“It helped me with my household activities, as the programme also teaches life skills.”
The grade three student said he wanted to follow the footsteps of his older brother Saraga Egi and be a big-name cricketer in the future.
“All 11 players in the Barramundis (national cricket team) are my favourite players,” Egi said.
“If I get a chance to meet one, I’ll try to meet all of them. I’d love to make the team one day.”
Egi’s father Andrew said the initiative was good for young people and people with disabilities to take part in and find their voice to help change their respective communities.
“I want this programme to continue. I have seen changes in my son’s life and in the lives of others who are here too,” he said.
“So I think it is best that we make it an annual thing so that we can monitor how these young participants really develop.
“I want to thank CPNG and Child Fund team for making this initiative possible.”
The match ended a three-month initiative which saw 24 facilitators visiting schools and communities to deliver sessions about cricket and life skills.