Annual Jamaican National/Michael Holding Masters Tournament begins this month in Jamaica

BY: KAYLA KARIM 

Sixteen teams will compete in the 11^th Annual Jamaica National/ Michael Holding Masters Cricket Tournament starting on October 20^th, 2018. The group consists of 8 local and 8 overseas teams, who will be arriving on October 18^th, a few days ahead of the first match.

The tournament strives to educate young cricketers about the game and enhance their skills and abilities to bat, bowl, and field, as well as to instill sportsmanship, build self-esteem and boost confidence.

“We want to teach them the importance of a cohesive team spirit, playing competitive cricket and developing trust, loyalty, commitment and teamwork, which will give them the best chance to represent their country and region in the future with honour and pride”, Director of World Masters Cricket and Director of Classic Sport Caribbean Inc., Austin Hutchison shared. 

Jamaica will host overseas defending champions, New York Masters and Tri-States Masters as well as a new addition to the tournament, A/F Combined Masters. The Crusaders Masters, Florida Masters, Caribbean Masters, Atlanta Masters, and Long Island Masters will also be returning teams from abroad.

Eight local teams accompany the 2017 runner-up, Ultimate Masters including, Melbourne Masters, Montego Bay Masters, St. Catherine Masters, May Pen Lions Masters, Dumtar Masters, Discovery Bay Masters and newest member of the list, Westmoreland Masters.

The tournament held every year since 2007 is not only for young cricketers to learn more about the game but also as a tool to promote tourism in Jamaica. October is not a busy season for the tourism industry on the island, and it was noted that the Masters Tournament was able to assist with the drought. Austin Hutchison stated, “World Masters Cricket has been promoting sports tourism in Jamaica”. An 11-day vacation tour is planned in assistance with the Jamaica Tourist Board, which includes six days of cricket and five days of other activities.

Since 2008, the Michael Holding Masters Tournament has provided educational scholarship awards and cricket gear, a total of over US $45,000, to 75 student-athletes from the Jamaica Under-13 cricket tournament. Educational books are provided along with coaching clinics by cricket legends to ensure that students grasp the history of the game and how the sport has impacted the way Jamaica is today. Jamaica at the Wicket by Arnold Bertram is the official history book for the Masters Tournament that educates youth on the history of cricket and its social impact on the different strata of Jamaican society. For 5 years now the Masters Tournament has donated about 240 history books, all of which are donated to schools that participate in the U-13 tournament.

Coaching clinics are offered during luncheons annually for the young athletes a part of the U-13 tournament. Cricket legends share their knowledge and experience during the sessions where over 560 young cricketers are expected to participate at each venue.

Scholarships will also be offered during the 2018 Masters Tournament to the 13 most talented youth players under 13 years old. Each will be J$50,000 each in addition to cricket gear for each player. None other than himself, Michael Holding, will present these scholarships. The founder of the tournament, Michael Holding, said that he was thrilled to be involved in a project that promotes the importance of discipline in a team sport, like cricket. Holding shared that his late mother, who has “always been an influence” in his life, was a former teacher and headmistress inspired his commitment to helping the education of others.

The tournament has received support over the years, especially from the Jamaica National Group. The Jamaica National Group Chief Marketing Manager, Jason McNeish praised the tournament and its mission agreeing that their objectives are aligned with their commitment to education and developing youth through sport. McNeish highlighted that the Jamaica National group has been supporting the cause from the start 10 years ago. “We commend World Masters Cricket and the Michael Holding Foundation for collaborating to inform youngsters about the opportunities cricket has to offer” McNeish shared.  He also admired the “masters” who take the time to meet and educate the youngsters through their experience to encourage them to take advantage of these opportunities.