The first ever level one International Cricket Council certificate coaching course, organised by the Gambia Cricket Association, will kick off today, Wednesday January 30 2008, at the YMCA.

Fifteen Gambian coaches will be trained on the level one coaching certificate sponsored by the International, Cricket Council, Africa Cricket Association in collaboration with the Gambia Cricket Association.

Johnny Gomez, Vice-President of the Gambia Cricket Association said, “ we used to organise introductory coaching courses for our coaches and now this certificate course is meant to up grade, equip and develop them for their future involvement in the game”.

He said the training, which will be a three- day affair, will end on the 1st of February.

He said after the training course, coaches will be sent to schools in preparation for the Secondary School Cricket league in February and March.

Gomez said the course will be officially opened by Ebou Joof, Permanent Secretary at the Department of State for Youths and Sports.

Commenting on the plans of the Cricket Association, he said, “we are expecting Sussex Over 50’s, a visiting team from England, from the 15 to the 26 of February 2008 and while they are in the country, four one day cricket matches will be organised together with coaching clinics for schools”.

He said the matches will be played in both MRC and July 22, Square as part of the visit.

He added that they intend to start the primary school cricket league and in March a senior secondary school knockout competition will be staged.

He revealed that the senior team is preparing to go to the International Cricket Council, World Cricket League Division 3 in Benoni, South Africa, in April 2008 and to Nigeria to take part in the North/West Cricket Championship.

Meanwhile the Cricket number 2 boss seized the opportunity to inform Pointsports that the domestic league of the Gambia Cricket Association is currently under way with matches being played every Saturday and Sunday at the July 22 Square.