Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
Neville 'Teddy' McCook (right), co-chairman of the Salvation Army School for the Blind, presents cricket gear to Daemion McLean, secretary general of JAVICA and a member of Prevoyant team, at the launch of the Six-A-Side cricket competition for the visually-impaired yesterday. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
FOR THE first time in Jamaica there will be a Six-A-Side cricket competition for the visually-impaired as five teams will be vying for the Jamaica Visually Impaired Cricket Association's (JAVICA) Challenge Trophy starting this Saturday.
This was announced by JAVICA at the launch of the inaugural competition in association with the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) at the Institute of Sports boardroom, Independence Park, yesterday.
ACTIVE IN SPORTS
The short-term aim is to prepare a team that will be part of the West Indies squad to participate in the 2006 World Cup in South Africa. The long-term aim is to provide another avenue for the visually impaired to be active in sports.
Vivalyn Latty-Scott, chairperson of JAVICA, said cricket has moved to another level with the introduction of cricket for the visually impaired.
"Once again, we are moving to another level with JAVICA and with determination we can produce, develop, hone and conduct cricket among the visually-impaired in Jamaica," she said.
QUICK RESPONSE
Daemion McLean, JAVICA secretary general, said it was amazing what could be achieved in a year after initial contact was made with the Jamaica Society for the Blind by the World Blind Cricket Council with an interest to structure cricket for the blind in Jamaica and the region.
"It is one solid year and we are at the point where we can structure our own competition, a competition where we can select our team and provide rehabilitation to blind and visually-impaired persons who might need an avenue of this nature," said McLean.
McLean also congratulated the Jamaica Cricket Association for its support and noted that its quick response was mainly out of curiosity. "The board gravitated towards blind cricket partially out of curiosity and because it spells cricket," McLean said.
Brian Breese, CEO of the JCA, said his association was very supportive of "this addition to the cricket programme".
