Two youth cricket teams faced off on Sept. 7 in Costa Rica’s first-ever under-19 Twenty20 match, organized by the British Embassy, the city of San José and the Costa Rica Cricket Federation. The team from the Caribbean province of Limón, captained by Adonis Sánchez, walked away with the prized Legacy Cup, as well as most of the day’s prizes.
British Ambassador Sharon Campbell,right, presents Luis Hernández, manager of the Antonio Escarre Baseball Stadium, with a commemorative cricket shield. Courtesy of the British Embassy
Saturday morning’s event was attended by a host of supporters including the Vice Mayor of San José Gonzalo Ramírez; Canadian Ambassador Wendy Drukier and President of the Costa Rica Baseball Association Rodrigo Vargas.
The British Embassy’s Cricket Morning is one of many events that the embassy has organized to raise the profile of this lesser-known sport in Costa Rica. Once considered to be a “gentleman’s game,” cricket has found favor among men, women and youngsters alike in Costa Rica, and has at least 40 established cricket teams throughout the country, including the Central Valley.
From left, Costa Rica Baseball Association President Rodrigo Vargas, Costa Rica Cricket Federation President Richard Illingworth, British Ambassador Sharon Campbell and Johnny Vargas of ICODER. Courtesy of the British Embassy
The British Embassy hopes to have cricket offered at schools throughout the country, in addition to the well-known options such as football and basketball.
Earlier this year, the embassy funded a Cricket Week at EARTH University, and provided training in the sport to 20 students under the age of 19. Thirty-two physical education teachers, under the guidance of renowned cricketer and coach Dr. Wendell Coppin, also were trained.
