30 Years of The Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament
The fields are prepared and the wickets are set for the annual Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament from July 9 – 23.
Now in its 30th year, the tournament will see nine local and 15 overseas teams playing across numerous cricket grounds across the island, from Crab Hill, St. Lucy to Foursquare, St. Philip. Fourteen teams from five countries within the Caribbean, Canada and England, will vie for the coveted trophy.
“Competing against peers from across the globe provides those young men with an edge. This is the single most important objective of the organizing committee,” said Morris Greenidge, Chairman of the tournament. “As you can see from the list of participating countries, the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament continues to capture international attention, and I am happy to announce that this year we have one of the largest contingents from the U.K. that we have had for a while. Everyone is eager and we are all therefore looking forward to an enriching two weeks on the field.”
Since its humble beginnings in 1987, the tournament has brought over 300 school and under-19 teams to Barbados from countries as diverse as the Republic of South Africa, India and Australia. It has also played a role in the formative years of some of the region’s best cricketers including former West Indies captain, Brian Lara, as well as current players Darren Sammy, Dwayne Bravo and Carlos Brathwaite, to name a few.
One of the most recent additions to the tournament has been the ‘Day with the Legends’ when players get the unique opportunity to visit with former West Indies players, either for a friendly chat and drink, a coaching master class, or both.
Sports Manager at the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), Devon Chase, added that “the BTMI is happy to once again sponsor the Sir Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament, which has become an integral event in the Barbados sports calendar, and offers a unique platform for visiting participants to immerse in Barbadian culture. This tournament represents not just a game, but a way of life for many Barbadians. We definitely could not celebrate our Year of Sports without a few games of cricket.”
The tournament commences on Sunday with a gala opening ceremony, giving participants the opportunity to rub shoulders with many cricket legends, including esteemed patron, Sir Garfield Sobers. This will be followed by approximately nine competition days, culminating in a nail-biting final at the historic Kensington Oval on Sunday, July 23.
