Cricket gets K420,000

THE annual BSP School Kriket programme for 2020 was launched yesterday at the Ela Murray International School in Port Moresby with a sponsorship of K420,000 from the bank.
The award-winning programme which started in 2010 is a partnership between Cricket Papua New Guinea (CPNG) and Bank South Pacific.
BSP Southern region manager Billy Veveloga, who officiated at the launch said the programme was one of the most successful junior sports development programme in the East Asia-Pacific region and that BSP would continue to support it.
CPNG chief executive officer Greg Campbell, who witnessed the launch, said the programme was important for cricket in the country and that it was a good pathway for children who wanted to play cricket.
Campbell said programmes success in terms of the consistently high numbers it reached annually and its success in schools and communities was a testament to the commitment and professionalism of CPNG staff and sponsor BSP.
He said the BSP School Kriket programme had earned recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the East Asia-Pacific regions best junior programme.
“This is a most successful programme,” Campbell said.
“Some of the players in the Papua New Guinea men’s team and the women’s team came through this programme.
“Credit to the sponsors who redevelop it every year to see more boys and girls reached.”
The programme reaches over 150,000 children across 250 schools around the country annually.
Campbell said the programme was designed to breed future Barramundis (men) and the Lewas (women) players and at the same time teach children the values of respect, team work, leadership, communication, dedication and exercise.