The 2024 edition of the Republic Bank Guyana Limited and Cricket West Indies ‘Five for Fun’ children’s cricket program was launched at Herdmanston Lodge on Tuesday.
In the coming weeks and months 1500 youngsters from approximately 75 schools around the country are going to be competing in the second edition of the program.
The grass root competition is set to be administered by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) with former West Indies player Reon King as national coordinator.

The schools will first play in zones with zonal champions emerging.
Following the ‘zones’ teams will then compete for the county title with the three winner’s battling for the national final festival country champion.
Republic Bank Guyana Limited representative Harry Dass Ghaness says that the company’s goal is ensure the youth learn and grow from the program.

“At Republic Bank we believe in the power of sport to positively shape young lives, sport instill crucial values and life skills in our nation’s youths such as discipline, team work and healthy lifestyles,” Dass Ghaness said.
This, he noted, is why the bank continues to make significant investment in sports, adding “‘That is why we are so passionate about initiates like the five for fun program, we firmly believe that investing in youth is investing in the future of our nation.”

Ronald Williams, Secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) highlighted that their programs cannot be successful with key supporting partners.
“The Guyana Cricket Board is starting a cricket development program in which we have to build partnerships and we have built two very important partnerships, one with the government of Guyana and the other partnership we had to build out of necessity is the partnership with sponsors. When we form a partnership with Republic Bank for cricket development at the important level for youth cricket it sends the message that the GCB has this program which takes cricket to the children from an early development stage,” Williams said.

Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle who declared the 2024 edition open said that the success of such grass root programs is evident by the success of the country at regional events.
“We have been doing so well internationally but the reason that we are doing so well nationally is because of the fact that we are paying close attention to our nursery and the ‘five for fun’ is part of the nursery and I’m really pleased that RBL has seen it fit to a good and embracing cooperate partner,” Ninvalle said.

This year sees an additional 20 schools participating in the tournament.
Coordinator King says this also ensures children have access to cricket at the primary level, to create a player pathway and add to coaching development.
King says the 5-over aside tournament is geared towards inclusive participation with boys and girls team competing from Regions Two, Four, Five, six, Seven and 10.
Last year, All Saints Primary won the title.