Cricket and Crime
You wouldn’t think there was an immediate connection – between cricket - a game brought over by the British and which now flourishes in former colonies including Jamaica, and crime – an ever escalating problem on today’s streets of Jamaica. The connection is a guy called Courteney Walsh.
- Courtney Walsh (centre) Photo: REUTERS
He’s using cricket to reach young people in 12 inner city communities and offenders in Jamaica’s prisons. He’s using Street20 cricket – the fast, new version of the game. His foundation is supported by the Jamaican government and is also getting funding from the British Foreign and Commonwealth office.
I think there is great power in sport to change peoples’ lives, I’ve reported a couple of times about boxing and how that has taught troubled boys in Jamaica about discipline and given them a new, positive outlook on life, away from the streets. Not sure if cricket can have that same power? Is it really a game that can be a real ambition for young inner city boys, for youth offenders? Isn’t it a bit more privileged than that?
[...] Jamaica Salt lauds Courteney Walsh for “using cricket to reach young people in 12 inner city communities and offenders in Jamaica’s prisons”, but wonders “Is it really a game that can be a real ambition for young inner city boys, for youth offenders?” Cancel this reply [...]
Good move on the part of Courtney Walsh.It is worth at least a try !!