School cricket launched

DUBBED the most successful junior sports development initiative in PNG, Cricket PNG (CPNG) and Bank South Pacific (BSP) officially launched, the 2019 BSP School Kriket programme at Hagara Primary School in Port Moresby on Friday.
The launch was witnessed by students and staff of Hagara, CPNG and BSP.
Speaking at the launch, BSP area manager (NCD) Natasha Sirimai said: “The BSP School Kriket Programme is one of BSP’s success stories in contributing to the development of sports in the country.
“BSP has partnered with CPNG for over 10 years, in reaching school aged children across PNG, and introducing the sport of cricket to many. The partnership has been rewarding for both organisations.”
The programme managed by CPNG has grown significantly all around the country reaching over 180,000 children in 2018, and over a million children since its inception, in 2009.
“Standing true to the programme’s objective, and with continued support from Bank South Pacific, the programme has produced skilled cricketers who have represented the country in international events under the PNG Barramundis, the City Pharmacy PNG Lewas and producing the full team of the Under-19 Garamuts that toured Samoa in the East Asia Pacific World Cricket Qualifiers in 2018,” Sirimai added.
BSP is proud to continue to support the BSP School Kriket programme for another year and remains committed to sustain the programme among children and communities.
Under the sponsorship with Cricket PNG, BSP commits K420,000 each year to support this programme: K300,000 as cash sponsorship, K100, 000 for equipment and K20,000 in kind.
Sirimai applauded the tireless efforts of Cricket PNG in making the programme successful and recognised globally and further thanked all the schools who have embraced the programme, and partnered with Cricket PNG, to ensure that the programme is delivered successfully.
“On behalf of Bank South Pacific, we wish Cricket PNG, another successful year in running, the BSP School Kriket programme 2019.”
Cricket PNG general manager Lee McDowell said: “The school cricket programme would not be successful without the ongoing support and commitment of Bank South Pacific. We thank BSP for the commitment to developing the sport of cricket in PNG, and supporting us in delivering this programme nationwide.”
“The BSP School Kriket programme will be expanded further into the Highlands region with schools in the Southern Highlands province ready to take on the programme. We will also be looking at improving the programme to cater for the different needs of students, teachers and volunteers throughout the year.
“We are still aiming to make a difference in the lives of young people, in promoting healthy lifestyles, developing skills and building character for positive living among the young generation,” McDowell said.