The St. Kitts Cricket Affiliation (SKCA) is celebrating a proud second as younger cricketer Kunal Tilokani and workforce physician Dr. Dwain Archibald departed Basseterre this previous Monday to affix the West Indies Below-19 squad forward of the ICC Males’s U19 Cricket World Cup in Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Tilokani, an 18-year-old top-order batsman and off-spinner, earned choice within the 15-member Rising Stars squad following an excellent 2025 season. He dominated regional youth competitions, captured the Most Invaluable Participant award on the West Indies Below-17 Match, and impressed on the senior degree in native competitions, together with the Cool and Easy T20 Match.
Talking on the airport previous to departure, Tilokani shared his pleasure on the alternative to characterize the West Indies on the world stage.
“I’m actually excited to be sincere. This can be a dream come true. I’ve been working actually onerous and it’s undoubtedly to go there and carry out.”
He additionally highlighted the unity throughout the West Indies U19 squad.
“We’ve nice chemistry… I really feel like we’ve been nice as a workforce. And I really feel like now we have probability of going on the market and competing for the title.”
Reflecting on the workforce’s preparation, together with a current victory over England Below-19s, Tilokani added:
“We’re very assured, however clearly now we’re going into completely different situations. Now now we have to only settle in and simply do the identical factor and exit and win.”
Becoming a member of Tilokani is Dr. Dwain Archibald, who has been appointed because the official workforce physician for the West Indies U19 World Cup marketing campaign — a major achievement for the Federation and the Affiliation.
“I’m amazed… it’s simply a tremendous factor that I’m chosen to be the physician for the Below-19 workforce. I’ve labored with the workforce earlier than, however on a a lot smaller foundation. I believe it’s an actual privilege proper now for me to be chosen for this submit, and I’ll do it to my utmost,” Dr. Archibald stated.
He additionally spoke in regards to the duty of representing a small nation on the worldwide stage.
“I’m now thought of an envoy of St. Kitts and Nevis. So, after all, I’ll characterize as a lot as I can. Sure, we’re small, however now we have expertise right here and we’ll show that.”
Dr. Archibald expressed specific pleasure in travelling alongside Tilokani.
“Kunal is a tremendous athlete and I’m extraordinarily blissful that he’s part of that workforce, once more representing St. Kitts and Nevis. We will characterize, undoubtedly.”
He additionally credited the St. Kitts Cricket Affiliation for his growth.
“All of this has led to the place I’m proper now. So thanks for that.”
Talking on behalf of the Affiliation, SKCA PRO Loshaun Dixon congratulated each representatives and highlighted the broader significance of their choice.
“To begin with, congratulations to Kunal. He is among the hardest employees now we have right here in St. Kitts. His choice speaks not solely to his dedication, but additionally to the work being achieved by the St. Kitts Cricket Affiliation, his coaches Jacques Taylor, Larry Audain, and others who’ve supported his growth.”
Dixon added that the twin illustration displays the power of the native cricket ecosystem.
“It exhibits that now we have the capability right here to provide prime cricketers and professionals. Cricket is a viable pathway not just for gamers, but additionally for docs, coaches, physios, and assist employees. Although we’re a small nation, we are able to nonetheless have a loud voice on the cricket discipline.”
The West Indies Below-19 workforce, captained by Joshua Dorne with Jonathan van Lange as vice-captain, will start their World Cup marketing campaign on January 15 in Group D alongside Afghanistan, South Africa, and Tanzania.
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