Grassroots
development is key on the Gambia Cricket Association’s agenda, thus it is not
relenting on its exertion to spread the game across the country.
The
just-ended regional coaching programme is a justification of the association’s
vow towards realizing its goal. It has succeeded in putting up five different
leagues within the Greater Banjul Area.
Officials
say playing active cricket at the regions remains crucial as a priority.
A
total of 30 developmental coaches concluded a four-day coaching programme
across the four regions on Friday 5 May 2017.
The
visited regions were LRR, CRR, URR, and NBR. The coaches introduced school
children to the basic skills of batting, balling, and fielding.
Thirty
schools and nearly a thousand students participated in the programme. The
schools were also presented with cricket materials.
Mr
Baboucarr Boye, a teacher at Banni Lower Basic School in CRR, described the
programme as timely.
He
urged the other sports associations to emulate the Gambia Cricket Association.
Lamin
Ceesay, a pupil at Soma Lower Basic, said he has now developed great interest
for the game. He said he and his friends will continue to play the game at the
school.
The
coaches on the other hand were very impressed with the response from the
schools and the level of interest of the children to play the game.
Mr
Prince Johnson, a female cricket coach, was overwhelmed about the attitude of
the children towards the game.
“I
am definitely happy to see such a positive response from the schools. I think
the future is bright for cricket in the country,” he boldly said.
The
association is also planning to conduct an umpiring programme for the regions
in the coming weeks.
Cricket
is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. More than a thousand
children in the Kanifing Municipality and West Coast Region were introduced to
the game during the last summer camp.
