FOR the fourth consecutive year, Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) will be the lead sponsor of the JN Primary and All-Age Cricket Competition, renewing its partnership with the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).

The competition, which is celebrating two decades of cricket development, was launched at the Clubhouse, Sabina Park in Kingston, on Wednesday.

More than 350 schools will participate in this year’s competition for a chance to win the Courtney Walsh and Collie Smith Shields.

Speaking at the anniversary launch, Maximilian Campbell, executive, group human resource development at JNBS, pledged continued support of the competition, stating that: “These development matches have contributed to the grooming of early cricketing skills for many young cricketers, who have gone on to represent Jamaica and the region at the highest levels.”

He emphasised that Jamaica National’s investment in various sporting disciplines were critical “to honing the skills of our young people, and to encourage their participation individually, or on teams, at the national, regional and international levels”.

The JN executive commended the JCA for its 20-year commitment to the competition, adding that: “The competition contributed to producing some 90 per cent of the country’s national cricketers, including Brenton Parchment, Nkrumah Bonner and Nikita Miller.”

As part of Jamaica National’s sponsorship, two scholarships will be awarded to players with outstanding examination results. In addition, young players will receive valuable training experience, during the course of the competition.

Lyndel Wright, president of the JCA, said the competition is a vehicle through which youngsters can be developed, not just as cricketers, but as whole persons.

“Cricket is a very dynamic game, as it builds leaders and players for our country and good citizens,” he said, while encouraging coaches to lead the young cricketers “not only to play well, but to impart discipline and good order, so that they can become good players to represent Jamaica and the region”.

Play in the competition will begin on Monday, with the elimination round for both primary and all-age schools, across the four established zonal groupings.

Last year’s winners, the Ballards Valley Primary and the Mayfield All-Age schools, both from St Elizabeth, will be returning to defend their titles against the exploits of schools from other parishes.