The Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs, Phillip Watts, joined Chief Executive Officer of the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Arnold Ram, for the conclusion of the Primary School Cricket Programme at Shaw Park, Tobago, where students, teachers, and supporters gathered to celebrate youth development through sport.
Also in attendance were Eli Zakour, Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation; Tobago House of Assembly Secretary for Youth Empowerment and Sport, Keigon Denoon; national cricket mentors, Reyad Emrit and Imran Khan; and Tobago-born cricketer, Joshua James.
The programme recorded strong participation across both islands, benefiting 3,951 students from 101 primary schools, including 88 schools in Trinidad and 13 in Tobago. Of that total, 2,249 boys and 1,702 girls took part, reflecting the broad national reach of the initiative and its role in building grassroots sport.
Students displayed great enthusiasm throughout the event as they came together for round-robin competition featuring Castara Government Primary School, which fielded two teams, along with Signal Hill Government Primary School and Table Piece Government Primary School. The evening culminated with the distribution of tokens and trophies to participating teams.
Minister Watts said the programme continues to demonstrate the value of sport as a tool for youth development and national growth. Drawing on themes from his Shaw Park remarks, he emphasized that structured sporting opportunities help children build discipline, confidence, teamwork, and character while creating pathways for future development.
“Today’s conclusion of the Primary School Cricket Programme in Tobago is a proud moment for youth and sport development in Trinidad and Tobago. This initiative reached 3,951 students across 101 schools and shows what is possible when we invest in our young people through structured, meaningful sporting programmes. Beyond the game itself, these children are learning discipline, teamwork, confidence, and sportsmanship, qualities that will serve them well in every area of life. Our commitment remains clear: to strengthen grassroots sport, widen opportunity, and ensure that children in every community, including Tobago, can grow, compete, and thrive,” Minister Watts said.
The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs continues to work closely with stakeholders and partners to expand access to quality sporting programmes for young people across Trinidad and Tobago, in keeping with its wider commitment to youth development, inclusion, and national progress through sport.