Cricket returns to primary and high schools after long hiatus: Minister Duggins

St. Kitts and Nevis: Minister of Sports Samal Duggins is celebrating the return of cricket to schools of St. Kitts and Nevis. He expressed his gratitude for the dedicated efforts of the Department of Sports and said that cricket has returned to primary and high schools after a long hiatus.

Minister Duggins stated that last week, he had the immense pleasure of witnessing the young bots enthusiastically participate in cricket matches at the Conaree Cricket Stadium. “It filled my heart with joy to see them engaged in the sport once again,” he added.

The matches under the Primary School Cricket Competition began on June 4 and will continue throughout the month.

While highlighting the several benefits of the sports, the Minister noted that it offers several benefits for the youth, especially the young men while adding that it serves as a positive outlet and provides social benefits, leadership skills, life lessons, responsibility and time management skills.

In addition to this, he said that the physical and mental benefits derived from active involvement in sports are invaluable and engaging in these activities signals hope for future generations as apparent by the recent selection of the first Kittitian for the West Indies Cricket Team.

Samal Duggins emphasised that this milestone shows that the country is on the right track in developing cricket and nurturing the talent of those who play it. As the Minister of Sports, he said that he is looking forward to seeing more of the players follow in the footsteps of Mikyle Louis.

He noted that while the journey begins at the grassroots level, the youth has the commitment of both the Department of Sports and himself to develop cricket from the ground up.

As he along with the government are paving the way for a brighter future for the young athletes and the sport of cricket in the Federation, he said that he is looking forward to hosting various regional and international matches in the near future.