The Secondary Schools Cricket League (SSCL) with assistance from Baxter's Limited and former West Indies batsman Bryan Davis plans to host the first annual World Schools Goodwill cricket competition in T&T from December 10 to 20, next year.
One of the goals of the tournament is to restore T&T's international image as a friendly, fun-loving, caring people and to further promote youth cricket in general.
One school will be invited to participate from each of the other Test playing countries, which includes Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, along with one school from seven different West Indian territories.
Each team will play three (thirty overs per side) matches in Tobago, followed by four in Trinidad. Corporate sponsors will be provided with the opportunity to participate in this goodwill project. The winner of next year's SSCL T20 Tournament will represent T&T at the World Schools Goodwill Cricket Competition
President of the SSCL Surujdath Mahabir is delighted with the idea, saying: "The Secondary Schools Cricket League has always wanted to do a world schools cricket competition. Baxter's Limited and Bryan Davis came up with the idea and we decided to partner with them."
Mahabir added that it is important for schools in T&T to compare themselves with schools in other countries. The schools will be taken on educational sightseeing trips, and a gala prize giving function will be held on the final evening. "We will include fun and educational tours on the days that they are free."
Mahabir said it is also an extra target for T&T schools to aim for. Barrackpore West Secondary School won the SSCL T20 competition last season.