MUMBAI: 'Catch 'em young', seems to be the buzz word at ESPN. With other sports channels slugging it out for the senior cricket properties, the sports channel has created a different proposition altogether.

Starting 27 January, the channel will debut its ESPN Cricket Cup Juniors Championship. An inter-school cricket league championship to be held at The Oval Maidan, Churchgate, till 6 February 2004 will have teams from 16 schools to vying for the title.

While the presenting sponsor of the tournament is Himalaya Chyavanaprasha, Mentos will sponsor the Mentos-Freshmaker-of-the-day award award. The awards instituted by ESPN STAR Sports will fete a player who exemplifies the freshness of the sport, in every match. The award goes beyond the basic awards criterion like highest wickets or highest score, says a company release.

Amongst the 16 schools participating in the tournament are Don Bosco High School, Saboo Siddique High School, Lokhandwala Foundation School, Modern English High School, Jamnabai Narsee School, Green Lawns High School, Activity High School, Bombay Cambridge School, Utpal Sanghvi School, Palm Beach School, The Scholar High School, Sir JJ Fort Boys High School, St.Joseph High School, BKM High School, Sacred Heart Boys High School and GD Somani High School.

Aimed at creating a prestigious sporting event that will foster cricket talent among school children, the format of the tournament is simple and interesting, informs the release. 16 teams will be divided into four groups to play 20-over matches on a round-robin league basis. At the end of the league top team from each group qualifies for the semi finals and the two winning semi finalists will clash for the ESPN Cricket Cup Juniors trophy, adds the release.