AHEAD of last week's ICC World Twenty20 Semi-Finals, three young reporters from east London got the opportunity to interview their cricket heroes at the Oval.

Aamena Suleman (16) from Forest Gate, Andrew Bontiff (17) from Leytonstone and Bushara Hamida (18) from Stratford travelled down to South London as part of the Leyton Orient Community Sports Programme (LOCSP) informal Media Mentoring scheme to spend the afternoon watching the West Indies and then Pakistan cricket teams go through their training sessions followed by their own respective press conferences.

After the main media had asked their questions the young reporters took their chance to practice and hone their journalism and media skills.

Andrew managed to grab an interview with Philip Spooner, the West Indies Cricket Media and Communications Manager whilst Bushara took the opportunity to interview former Pakistan test captain and current team coach Intikhab Alam in his native tongue - Urdu.

The watching national and international media were all very impressed by the fledgling reporters especially Tim Abrahams - the Sky Sports Cricket Correspondent - who filmed Bushara asking her questions in Urdu before spending time to talk to the youngsters and offer advice about the world of media and journalism.

Aamena and Bushara also took the opportunity to add to their bank of stories and blogs as part of their work on the 'Supporter to Reporter' (S2R) programme - a national initiative that aims to train up the next wave of reporters ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

Andrew finished up the afternoon by writing some stories emanating from the interviews, which are available on www.locsp.org

Nathan Ross, ICC/ECB Media Officer/Oval Media Manager said: "The youngsters were very enthusiastic and fitted into the media setting very well. Giving them exposure to this type of environment at an earlier age can only help them in their development as journalists.

"I was pleased to see the day went so well and that the kids got so much enjoyment out of it all. Thanks must also go to the two teams, West Indies and Pakistan, who were very receptive and helpful."

Bushara Hamida, 18, from Stratford said: "We first sat in on the West Indies press conference which was a good experience for me as I got to see what questions were being asked so I could work out which ones to ask myself.

"When it was time for the Pakistan press conference I was given the opportunity to ask a couple of questions to Intikhab Alam which I was really nervous about, but on top of that I decided to ask them in Urdu and it was in front of the Sky Sports cameras!

"Even though Urdu is my mother-tongue and I speak it every day at home it was completely nerve-wrecking having to speak with someone famous that you thought you would never ever meet.

"Similarly when we were watching the Pakistani team train day Shahid Afridi, who was the friendliest of all the players, spoke to us and I felt really nervous when speaking to him in Urdu and even got my words muddled up because I had never imagined that I would ever speak to him.

"Being British-Pakistani I felt really excited and was jumping with joy after the day because being brought-up watching cricket all my life and never missing any of the matches that Pakistan played I couldn't believe I was standing there talking to them - it was like my dreams had come true!

"At first my friends and family didn't believe me but after showing them all the pictures they wished they could get an opportunity like I had

"I learnt a lot from this experience and how being in a press conference can be really scary - watching the other reporters just shoot out questions shows how experience can help a lot because once you have done it a few times then you get used to it and your nerves soon disappear.

"After the press conference we got a chance to meet all the Pakistan players and get most of their autographs and pictures with them."

Andrew Bontiff, 17, from Leytonstone said: "I've never really been a huge cricket fan before theTwenty20 World Cup but during the tournament I've become much more interested and have really enjoyed all the excitement.

"The Oval is one of the best grounds in the country and looks superb; I'm really pleased to have been given the chance to go there.

"My Dad and my Granddad are both big supporters of the West Indies so they were, of course, really pleased for me to go the ground and even see some of the players.

"This was a great opportunity to get real close to the players and just be in and around this professional environment."

Aamena Suleman (Young Ambassador of Sport for Newham), 16, from Forest Gate said: "It was such a great opportunity to attend the Pakistan and West Indies press conference and training session.

"Our afternoon started with watching the West Indies team train and then their press conference which was a great experience as we were able to see how a cricket press conference works.

"Bushara did a great job of interviewing the Pakistan coach in Urdu and it was a new experience for all of us as we haven't conducted an interview in any other language apart from English.

"After the Pakistan press conference we went down to the pitch to watch the Pakistan team train. We didn't think our day could get any better until we met the Pakistan players who were very friendly and were happy to sign our books and take pictures with us.

"It was amazing as we never imagined that we would meet the players. My family was very pleased that I was able to get such a great opportunity as it is not something that comes around very often. I am very grateful that this opportunity came my way."

Andrew McSteen, LOCSP Communications Officer said:  "We were very lucky indeed to gain access to players during such a high profile event as the ICC World Twenty20.

"To see Bushara conduct herself so professionally when talking to her heroes and people she has grown up watching was a real credit to her and great to see.

"Andrew, Bushara and Aamena really have made great strides in their media work this year. The skills they have developed through their preparation for interviews, conduct at events like this, working alongside professional journalists as well as interviewing sporting personalities by themselves and in front of others will contribute to their preparedness when they move into their adult and professional careers - journalism or otherwise.

"A big thanks must go to Nathan Ross, ICC/ECB Media Officer/Oval Media Manager who organised the whole day and gave us many valuable pointers about the world of cricket media.

"We all look forward to the next event whatever it may be."