ROAD TOWN, Tortola: During the Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinic in Tortola, Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan said they were impressed with the interest in cricket in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).

“The interest of the people here is tremendous, they came out to support the kids in the clinics and we are working with the kids who are talented,” said the Jamaican batsman, Chris Gayle.

Gayle expressed his thoughts when he appeared as a guest on the weekly Speak Your Mind show on JTV, Channel 55 in Tortola on Saturday evening. His teammates – Ramnaresh Sarwan and Denesh Ramdin – were also guests on the show which was hosted by Courtney Richard DeCastro.

In addition to Tortola, the three players travelled to Virgin Gorda as part of the intensive three day Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinic.

Sarwan said he was excited to be a part of the clinics as he saw it as an opportunity to pass on valuable tips but also, since he is hoping that at least one West Indian player can emerge from the BVI out of the clinics.

“I would love to see one of these youngsters make it all the way to the top, then I can have the satisfaction of knowing that I was a part of this initial step to develop players – because from my own experience I know how important coaching and guidance is as a young kid,” Sarwan said.

The BVI has produced one First Class player – fast bowler Brent DeFreitas – who plays for the Leeward Islands. The clinic was conducted by former West Indies player Keith Arthurton who coaches youngsters in St Kitts and Nevis.

The Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinic now moves on to Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Barbados and Turks and Caicos.