Cricket focuses on development

CRICKET PNG has increased its focus on the development of the code in the country with development projects in the Highlands region expected to be a priority this year.
This was revealed at the 2020 IBS Cricket PNG regional conference in Port Moresby this week.
The three-day conference saw regional cricket managers highlight issues they faced in the development of cricket in their communities.
The conference started on Monday and saw regional cricket managers from Jiwaka, Eastern Highlands, Southern Highlands, Western Highlands, Madang, Morobe, West New Britain, Oro and Milne Bay take part. For the Highlands region, Hela was the latest province to be part of the “Cricket Bilong Olgeta” (Cricket for Everyone) programme marking an upward trend for the region over the last five years.
“The code may be new to the Highlands region today, but there is historical evidence of the region playing cricket in colonial times,” Jiwaka regional manager John Kekeao said. “The Minj area boasts of this historical piece and so the development of the code comes with a sense of honour and pride for the province.”
Meanwhile, in the Momase region, Morobe and Madang have also seen an increase participants in their development programmes.
The conference also discussed the potential of a scholarship programme with CPNG focusing on proper education as an essential tool for development.
With the Barramundis making the T20 World Cup, the future of cricket in the country looked promising.