Barnes, Wedderburn get first JCA-Kingston Wharves scholarships

In an initiative to honour last year’s successful Jamaica under-19 double champions, the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) and long-time partners Kingston Wharves Limited, handed out tertiary scholarship grants to national under-19 captain Brian Barnes and Jamaica and West Indies under-19 batsman Steven Wedderburn inside the President’s Box at Sabina Park on Wednesday.

The pair was chosen from a shortlist of five under-19 players, following the application process, which required the cricketers to be accepted at a recognised tertiary institution.

The four-year scholarship grant will see Barnes and Wedderburn studying marketing at the University of the West Indies, and the duo was elated that they were the first recipients of the grant.

“I feel honoured and lost for words,” said Barnes. “This scholarship has created a pathway for me to focus on both cricket and academics at the same time, which will help me in my long-term goals.”

Wedderburn said he was elated that he got the scholarship as he had been putting in the hard work.

“The scholarship will make it a lot easier for me to focus on improving my game as I won’t have to worry about the financial aspect, which can be a burden,” said Wedderburn.

Alfred McDonald, business development manager at Kingston Wharves, highlighted the importance of continuing to be good corporate citizens in nation-building.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to creating an enduring legacy, recognising the achievements, not only as athletes, but as students and positive contributors to the Jamaican society,” McDonald said.

President of the Jamaica Cricket Association, Dr Donovan Bennett, had high praises for Kingston Wharves, who has been supporting youth cricket in the country for more than four decades.

“We are grateful at the JCA that Kingston Wharves has come up with an offer like this, where cricketers, who have also achieved in academics, can be recognised and helped to push their life skills forward,” Bennett said.

At the end of the four-year cycle, two under-19 cricketers will be chosen for the scholarship grant.