Beausejour, Carriacou, February 23, 2014- Carriacou may field a team in a regional teenage cricket competition to be held in Barbados later this year.

The announcement has come from Senator Jester Emmons, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Carriacou and Petite Martinique Affairs.

According to the Senator, his Ministry – as part of its commitment to cricket development in Carriacou – will provide all the necessary support to ensure the island’s Under-19 cricket team’s participation in the annual Sir Garfield Sobers Cricket Tournament in Barbados in July.

Mr. Emmons made his comments while declaring open the 2014 Carriacou domestic cricket tournament.

The tournament, sponsored by Republic Bank to the tune of $36000, was first held in 2007.

A record-high 14 teams are participating this year, including two neighbouring Grenadine Islands, Bequia and Canouan.

President of the Carriacou United Cricket Board, Anderson Matheson, hailed Republic Bank’s seven-year support of the tournament that he described as being on a positive path.

In his remarks, Devon Thornhill – Manager of Republic Bank Grenville – said the bank is happy to see the progress made in cricket on the twin-isle parish of Carriacou and Petite Martinique.

Mr. Thornhill made special reference to outstanding Carriacou cricketer Emmanuel Stewart, a wicketkeeper/batsman who captained Grenada and the Windward Islands in regional Under-15 competitions in 2013; and also was a member of a select group of young West Indies cricketers that visited Australia late last year.

The 2014 Carriacou domestic cricket tournament runs from February 23 – May 25.

Hotel Laurena Mt. Royal All Stars are the defending champions.