BASSETERRE ST. KITTS (January 11, 2010) - The Development Bank of Saint Kitts and Nevis’ General Manager and former national cricket player, Lenworth Harris, on behalf of the bank’s directors, management and staff, is wishing the West Indies team the best of luck as the Under-19 Youth Cricket World Cup bowls off in New Zealand on Friday January 15, 2010.
Mr. Harris in an interview last week, stated that the Development Bank is proud to have contributed to the current 15-man squad Under-19 West Indies team, as it includes Nevisian all-rounder Nelson Bolan, who was sponsored by the bank during his training. Bolan left the Federation on December 31 for New Zealand.
“As an institution that believes in the holistic development of the nation’s youth, Development Bank did not hesitate when the Nevis Cricket Association approached us to sponsor Nelson,” observed Harris. “The young man has done our country proud as his great potential, versatility and enthusiasm caught the selectors’ eyes. This goes a long way to show that the Federation has talent and we will do whatever is deemed necessary to unearth such talent.”
Nelson’s sponsorship by the Development Bank was made through the Nevis branch. Nevis-based Senior Loans/Projects Officer Hyacinth Pemberton said last week that Nelson did not let her down following an appeal she made to him to train with dedication to follow the footsteps of other famous Nevisian cricketers who have, against all odds, made it to the West Indies team.
Pemberton was the acting manager at the Nevis branch in September last year when the sponsorship was extended to Nelson after he had gained selection to the Under-19 training squad. She told him then: “The Board of Directors, Management and Staff of the Development Bank wish you success in your cricketing career and we implore you to make maximum use of the cricket gear we are presenting you today, because we need to see another Nevisian on the senior West Indies team very soon.”
Last week she pointed out that Nelson’s inclusion in the Under-19 “shows that he is literally knocking on the doors of the senior West Indies team. This fast bowler and all rounder has shown that he has the potential and we call on all people of goodwill to help ensure that he remains on that path and very soon he will be wearing the maroon (West Indies Senior Cricket team) colours.”
The bank has been a great supporter of youth cricket as in 2007 it sponsored the Under 17 cricket development programme under Nevisian cricketer, and former West Indies test player, Keith Arthurton. Out of that development programme three players namely Akeem Saunders, Tashmaeil Mills and Akheam Fox were last year (2009) selected to play in the Leeward Islands Under 19 team.
