GRANTLEY Stephenson, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of Kingston Wharves Limited, has reaffirmed his company’s commitment to the development of Jamaica’s youth through continued sponsorship of the Under-15 cricket competition.

The declaration immediately followed the 25th anniversary of the recently concluded Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA)/ Kingston Wharves Under-15 cricket competition. St Elizabeth defeated Kingston by one run in the final. The shipping business entity also awarded bursaries to assist with educational expenses of $50,000 each to the top bowler and batsman.

Stephenson expressed sheer delight with the competition’s accomplishment over the years. Several stars, including West Indies batsmen Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels, participated in the competition. “Seventy per cent of all persons who represent Jamaica in cricket come through this competition.

We know that there are some very big names that have gone on to represent the West Indies and have done extraordinarily well and have become huge successes. So it has helped to develop a lot of people.

“Our social/corporate responsibility is to help to develop our young people and cricket is not the only area in which we do this. We also sponsor a basic school close to the wharves and we are gratified with the results,” Stephenson told reporters at the Kensington Cricket Club on Monday.

In addition to that, Stephenson said he feels the company has “contributed significantly” in developing future professionals, and cites the competition as being a part of “nation-building”, as it gives players an opportunity to utilise their talent. Stephenson explained that Kingston Wharves is satisfied with the level of discipline the competition has seen throughout the years.

He said the company is committed to continue for another “25 years and beyond”. “It [the discipline] has to be maintained at a certain level and improving constantly. Without the discipline the youngsters are not going to improve their game and we have to guard our brand very jealously.

Therefore, if the discipline is not what we want, then we would have to look at it,” he noted. Marketing and planning manager Mark Williams pointed out that the monetary award was expanded this year as part of the commitment towards sports and academic development. “We are big on that in terms of nation-building.

Apart from the cricket, we recognised that we want to get involved in a holistic development. We are very committed also to the education perspective of the youngsters and therefore we have awarded some scholarships,” he said.

The company will also be hosting 24 of the 196 players who took part in the competition in a camp which includes a tour of its facility.