Leesa Kow, acting executive marketing, promotions and sales at JNBS, presents a cricket bat to Shanice McDonald of Holy Family Primary at the launch of the 2007 JNBS-sponsored Primary and All-Age schools cricket competitions at Sabina Park on Wednesday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
THE ISLAND'S Primary & All-Age Schools national cricket competition will benefit from approximately $5 million in sponsorship for the coming season.
Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), title sponsor of the event, has committed $3.3 million while the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) will contribute between $1.5 million and $2 million.
The competition, which began in 1993, has becamea vital part of the Jamaica Cricket Association's (JCA) development programme.
It brings cricket directly to 224 schools through inter-parish competition and many more, indirectly, through the elimination rounds of the competition.
The Primary students play with a 'softball' while the All-Age players use regular cricket equipment.
About 720 matches are played each season including the national finals at Melbourne during the first week of July.
JNBS's Leesa Kow, acting executive marketing, promotions and sales, said it was due to the far reach of the competition that her company was quick to continue its sponsorship.
Human capital
"It was against the background of the opportunity to develop human capital that the Jamaica National Building Society has, without hesitation, continued to renew its commitment to the sponsorship of this competition," Kow said.
She also said that since 2001, JNBS had put about $21.6 million in the competition.
The SDF's general manager, Ludlow Watts, said his organisation was pleased to be a part of the project.
"We are very proud and happy to be associated with this cricket league," he said.
"I hope that this league will continue to provide more cricketers for Jamaica and the West Indies," he said.
Jackie Hendriks, president of the JCA, said this was one of the most important leagues that his association ran as it provided exposure for youths.
