THE expression of glee on each parent’s face left no doubt.

They stood proudly among the welcome party as the Jamaican members of the history-making West Indies Under-19 cricket set-up arrived at the Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) yesterday.

Michael Frew and Shahid Crooks, both of St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), and Odean Smith of Maggotty High, were a part of the squad that defeated favourites India by five wickets to take the Youth World Cup title in Bangladesh on Sunday.

During a welcome reception hosted by regional cricket sponsor Digicel inside the NMIA’s Pineapple Lounge, Kenute Frew, Michael’s father, told the Jamaica Observer he was “more than happy” that the West Indies hoisted the world Under-19 trophy for the first time.

He said he watched some of the games and made it his “point of duty to watch the final” against India.

“I was so happy even the day after, and yesterday (Tuesday)when I got the call that we are going to meet them at the airport, it just had me [excited] again,” the father added.

Lileith Crooks, Shahid’s mother, did not see the games, but she said she received updates from others.

“I’m feeling so proud; very elated,” she said.

“I wasn’t able to watch, but even on the Sunday when I went to church my church members were telling me about it and I was feeling so good,” continued Crooks.

Ancena Scarlett-Smith is another proud mother. She, too, was not able to watch the games due to no cable television access.

“I’m very proud this afternoon, I’m very proud and his father is also proud. Some persons were able to follow it and I always asked them and they told me. Even the morning when they won, it was a young man who came over the house and he was telling Odean’s father that the boys won. I started screaming from that time because I was very happy,” said Scarlett-Smith.

The players were also greeted at the airport by STETHS Principal Keith Wellington, Maggotty Principal Sean Graham, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) boss Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven, chairman of the local Under-19 selection committee Wayne Lewis, and representatives of Digicel.

“It’s a proud moment, not just for me as a principal, but the entire school family. We bask in his (Odean’s) glory and his recognition as a world champion,” Graham told the Observer.

Cameron, who has come in for heavy criticism for some of the recent on and off-field disappointments of West Indies cricket, said the success of the Under-19s left him feeling “vindicated”.

“I’m extremely happy, proud and … vindicated that we are on the right path,” said the regional cricket president.

“On behalf of the JCA, I want to thank you for lifting the West Indies flag high and by extension the Jamaican flag,” Heaven said in his congratulatory speech.

Lewis’s reaction was that of a proud father.

“It’s amazing to know that you have a say in the direction [that] these youngsters [are taking]. I feel like a parent, like you have a child and you see the child going in the right direction and doing well,” said Lewis.

“We are proud to sponsor West Indies cricket and are we are happy to see you win,” said Patrick King, Digicel’s customer solutions director.