By Eric Collymore
As the ICC T20 World Cup unfolds, UNICEF and the International Cricket Council (ICC) have partnered to host cricket clinics for children, providing an opportunity for young fans to meet current cricket stars.
On Thursday, UNICEF and the ICC held one such event at the Guyana National Stadium.
The initiative, part of the ICC Cricket for Good programme, brought together students from Camille’s Academy, Queen’s College, and Covent Garden Secondary for a day filled with activities.
The programme aims to leverage the popularity of cricket to create positive social impacts while promoting health, education, and the overall well-being of children.
UNICEF representative Nicholas Pron expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting its alignment with the United Nations’ International Day of Play and the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Pron emphasized the importance of child equality and the right to play, underscoring that every child should have the opportunity to engage in both academic and athletic pursuits.
Pron also noted the significance of ensuring that children in Guyana have balanced lifestyles, with equal opportunities to excel in both education and sports.
The cricket clinics, conducted on training days of participating teams throughout the World Cup, aim to provide these opportunities and promote a healthy, active lifestyle among the youth.
The very first International Day of Play will be celebrated during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on June 11, marking a significant milestone in promoting children’s rights and well-being through the sport of cricket.