Love Cricket initiative launched

THE Santos-funded Oil Search Foundation, in partnership with Cricket Papua New Guinea, has initiated a programme to help children learn important skills as they become adolescents.
The foundation and federation signed an agreement on Monday, paving the way for the Love Cricket programme to be implemented in selected schools in the nation’s capital, Central and Gulf.
The agreement further supports the federation to use a previous investment by the foundation in purchasing equipment in 2020.
The Coronavirus pandemic prevented the implementation of the programme last year.
The programme will target children between 10 and 13 to take part in sessions designed to teach them how to work as a team, boost confidence and increase participation in healthy activities.
The programme will do this through access to cricket equipment and exposure to structured team sports.
“The foundation has been running community programmes for children in other provinces,” foundation chief programme officer Jean Martin said.
“But this is the first time the foundation will bring children’s activities to the National Capital District, Central and Gulf.
“The programme will involve an estimated 900 students between July and December.”