The Dutch governing body (KNCB) has announced that three leading young players have been awarded scholarships by the Leo van der Kar Fund to enable them to develop their skills abroad.

The players involved are Quick Haag opener Lesley Stokkers, Excelsior ’20 seamer Tommy Heggelman, and ACC’s left-arm spinner Maninder Kamboj.

It is expected that they the scholarships will enable them to take part in the World Cricket Academy in Mumbai, India in February-March 2007.

Stokkers and Heggelman were regulars in their clubs’ Hoofdklasse sides last season, while Kamboj played a significant role in helping ACC win promotion from the Eerste Klasse.

All three have represented their country in European under-age tournaments, Heggelman captaining the Under-19 side in the 2006 tournament. Stokkers is playing club cricket in Capetown this winter. He and Kamboj are likely to play an important part in The Netherlands’ bid to reach the next Under-19 World Cup finals.

Established in 1960 by the sports enthusiast and trainer Leo van der Kar, the independent foundation which bears his name enables young sportsmen and women to improve their performance by working with top coaches abroad