By Audley Boyd, Assistant Sport Editor

Lance Gibbs - Contributed

bridgetown, barbados:

FROM one generation to the next, the Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinics got high scores from West Indies players at its launch in Barbados, yesterday.

The clinics will be held in six countries over a six-week period and Lancelot Gibbs, a legend of the past, and current West Indies skipper, Ramnaresh Sarwan, strongly endorsed the initiative.

"The Digicel Cricket Coaching clinics are a fantastic development, as we look to develop the next generation of cricketers in the West Indies," noted Gibbs, one of the region's finest ever spinners.

"The traditions we have and the success we've enjoyed over the years need to be maintained, so it's wonderful to see Digicel listening to the people of the Caribbean and supporting the development of cricket."

On Monday, Digicel announced the extension of its sponsorship of the West Indies team by four years and Gibbs added that the clinics are an exceptional follow-up.

"After this week's fantastic announcement of the extension to the WICB sponsorship, the clinics are the perfect example of the steps that Digicel has promised to take in further supporting the progression of West Indies cricket," he stated.

The 27-year-old Sarwan, who was installed captain of the Caribbean side after the World Cup, said the clinics would play an important role in nurturing regional talent. Sarwan, along with Chris Gayle and Denesh Ramdin, will conduct some of the coaching at the clinic.

"I'm delighted that Digicel has given us this opportunity to coach the Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinics over the next six weeks," said Sarwan.

"It is important for the future that we use all opportunities to nurture young talent in the Caribbean and give back some of what we've learnt from being part of the West Indies cricket team."

In anticipation of turnouts at the clinics and assistance from other West Indies greats, Sarwan, who has scored nine Test and three ODI centuries, added: "Myself, Chris and Denesh are looking forward to meeting Windies fans as well as getting some tips ourselves from Sir Gary (Sobers) and other former Windies players."

The three men will join Gibbs, along with head coaches and former regional stars, Kenneth (Kenny) Benjamin and Keith Arthurton in coaching the clinics that will serve as part of Digicel's commitment to help develop the sport regionally.

Each of the training programmes will be run over three consecutive days, with Barbados leading off the innings with its clinic that starts today and runs through to Sunday at the 3Ws Oval at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus.

Trinidad and Tobago are next up in the order with a camp scheduled for its National Cricket Centre from July 26 to 28.

Action will then shift west to Jamaica from July 30 to August 1 at the country's main venue for international matches, Sabina Park.

Guyana, from August 3 to 5 at a location to be announced, Arnos Vale in St. Vincent from August 7-9 and the Falmouth Cricket Ground in Antigua, from the 11th to the 13th of August, will play host to the other clinics.

Kieran Foley, head of sponsorship at Digicel Group, said this newest initiative was central towards their development drive.

"The Digicel Cricket Coaching Clinics are a key part of our youth development programme," said Foley.

"We worked closely with the West Indies Cricket Board to develop coaching clinics that would teach aspiring young cricketers some valuable cricket skills.

"It is important that children have access to quality cricket coaching which will maintain the foundations of West Indian cricket as they are the Caribbean's future cricketers," added Foley, whose company also supported a psychologist and fielding coach to join the Windies team on their England tour and recently launched the Digicel Scholarship Programme that allowed young Windies fast bowler Jerome Taylor the opportunity of playing county cricket for Leicestershire for the rest of the English season.

They also sponsor the Digicel Caribbean Football Union Cup, which caters to 30 regional teams and qualifies some to CONCACAF's main tournament, the Gold Cup, that also includes Central American qualifiers.