Other Sports of Monday, 1 December 2003

Source: GNA

Sierra Leone host W. African Juvenile Cricket tourney

Accra, Dec. 1, GNA - War ravaged Sierra Leone play host to neighbouring West African countries in the first-ever under-15 cricket tournament from January 15 through to the 22nd, next year.

Sequel to this, Ghana is to raise a team mainly from three main second cycle institutions, Achimota, Presbyterian Boys secondary, Legon and Ghana International School for the week-long tournament.

Mr Dave Quaigrine, Chairman of the Ghana Cricket Association who also doubles as the President of the West African Cricket Association told the GNA Sports in Accra that the programme is to help raise the standard of the spot, especially among the youth at such tender ages so as to catapult them into the limelight.

Ghana, the current Champion at the senior level, is being tipped to snatch the juvenile trophy as well but this, Mr Quaigrine said would not be easy.

He said countries such as the host and Nigeria are strong contenders for the crown "but with some extra work, we can win".

The Ghanaian team is expected to start camping by next week to toughen the cricketers for the task ahead.

On Sunday, the executives of the Ghana Cricket Association met with the boys to iron out perceived differences in other to send a united team to the championship.

The boys had been agitating in silence for certain demands to be met. This includes having enough test matches before such tournaments and feeding after every Sunday's training session.

The executives have been catering for the needs of the boys over the years without government support but have been unable to continue for sometime now due to financial constraints.

But after last Sunday's crises meeting, the executives promised to meet the boys at the point of their needs for the sake of the game.