The Digicel Cricket Clinics - which just wrapped up following a successful tour of six countries in the Caribbean – have received high praise from an array of past and present West Indies cricketers.
West Indies legend, Sir Garry Sobers; coaches, Keith Arthurton, Kenny Benjamin and Vasbert Drakes; cricketers, Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Denesh Ramdin and Jerome Taylor; ICC Elite umpire, Billy Doctrove; and West Indies Cricket Board Director, Emmanuel Nanthan; were among an array of individuals who offered kudos for the Clinics.
The Digicel Cricket Clinics took place in Barbados, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica, Jamaica and Turks & Caicos, with over 200 aspiring young cricketers receiving expert coaching and advice on improving their skills.
Former West Indies players turned coaches, Keith Arthurton and Kenny Benjamin, led the Digicel Cricket Clinics with assistance from Gayle, Sarwan, Ramdin, Taylor and numerous local coaches in the various territories.
“It has been a huge pleasure to coach the young cricketers in these territories and it has left me in no doubt that there is talent across the Caribbean. It is important that we use the Digicel Cricket Clinics to nurture talent and bring the boys on in the right way so that they can make it all the way to the top,” Arthurton said.
Chris Gayle said of the Digicel Cricket Clinics: “We have to thank Digicel for developing the Digicel Cricket Clinics, because without its support, none of this would be possible. Having top class coaches such as Keith Arthurton and Kenny Benjamin on board meant that the boys were able to learn from the best.
“It was also a fantastic opportunity for us to pass on our experience and knowledge as professional cricketers and to help motivate the boys and encourage them to follow their dreams.”
Arthurton agreed with Gayle, but urged the local authorities and the cricketers themselves to continue working on a consistent basis. He said: “It was great to spend time with the boys, but it is now up to the local officials to ensure that they build on what they learned during the Digicel Cricket Clinics.”
Participants in the Digicel Cricket Clinics received certificates of participation along with autographed photographs, while in each territory the best batsman, best bowler, best fielder and best wicketkeeper were selected and rewarded with a special prize of a miniature bat autographed by the West Indies cricket team.
