17th August 2012, St. John’s Antigua- Sports Minister Winston Williams, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), formally opened the second annual Sandals Foundation Regional Under-15 High Performance Cricket Camp on Monday at the Press Briefing Room at Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Grounds.

During his address, the senator told the youth present that it should not be business as usual and impressed upon them to be prepared for hard work.

He also noted that sacrifices and unselfishness are two key factors.

Williams said that the government is committed to the development of sports, not only in Antigua & Barbuda, but in the region on a whole.

He was high in praise for the Sandals Foundation and WICB for their Vision in bringing our youth together at this early age for the camp.

General Manager of Sandals Grande Antigua Resort & Spa, Gerald Christ, said that Sandals Foundation is committed to the development of the youth and pledged continued support for the camp, both here in Antigua and St Lucia.

Sandals Foundation started this camp over 10 years ago in St Lucia before WICB and the government came on board.

WICB Communications Officer Imran Khan addressed the gathering by way of a letter from the president of the board, Dr Julian Hunte.

Dr Hunte said that the high performance camp is a model of collaboration and forethought and also a collaboration of the board as the governing body, Sandals Foundation as the main sponsors, and the governments St Lucia, and Antigua & Barbuda to protect the future of West Indies cricket.

He urged the youth to utilise the camp fully to improve skills, build friendships and develop themselves.

There are over 130 children under the age of 15 participating in both camps both in Antigua and St Lucia.

The Antiguan camp consists of players from Jamaica, Guyana, Antigua & Barbuda and the rest of the Leewards, while the St Lucia leg has players from St Lucia, the Windwards, Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

The head coach of the camp is Junie “Chicken” Mitchum who will be assisted by coaches from Guyana, Jamaica and Antigua.

The camp will run for a period of two weeks.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports Jessel Edwards, and Deputy Director of Sports Evans “Jawakie” Jones were also in attendance.