All Saints Primary was recently crowned the National Champions of the 2023 edition of the Republic Bank ‘Five for Fun’ Cricket programme, after intense competitive encounters with rival county finalist St Lawrence Primary from Essequibo and Enterprise Primary from Demerara.
The three schools took to the playing field of the Police Force Sports Club Ground in Georgetown on Friday, March 10, to compete in the Republic Bank Five for Fun Cricket National Festival Finals, in front of their school mates, family, well-wishers and stakeholders.
Among those present were: Charles Ramson – Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport; representatives of the Ministry of Education; Mr. Stephen Grell – Managing Director of Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited; Mr. Bissoondyal Singh – Director of CWI and President of the Guyana Cricket Board; and Dr. Ritesh Tularam – Deputy Chief Education Officer.
Also present were several former Guyana and West Indies players: Clyde Butts, Colin Stuart, Reon King, Leon Johnson and Steven Jacobs, who attended the finals to take-in action and support the junior cricket spectacle.
The Republic Bank “Five for Fun” programme was launched in Guyana in 2022. “Five for Fun” is a new cricket format designed around the principles of fun, inclusion and equality, and is part of Cricket West Indies’ Future Stars Programme to drive grassroots participation while creating a pathway to international cricket.
The three teams competed in a round robin format, playing 2 games, with each game consisting of 10 overs, with each team batting for 5 overs. The overall champions were determined by the highest run score of their two combined matches. Based on the two matches played by each school, All Saints Primary emerged the champions with a combined total run score of 180, as St. Lawrence Primary and Enterprise Primary scored 178 and 171 respectively.
A formal closing ceremony and awards presentation followed the conclusion of the matches, which ensured that all players received programme participation certificates, in addition to medals and trophies for first, second and third place.
The formal closing ceremony and awards presentation segment of the Republic Bank Five for Fun Cricket National Festival Finals was moderated by Mr. John Ramsingh, journalist and cricket enthusiast.
