TTCB – News

Barath urges youngsters to work hard for success
January 14, 2010

By ZAID MOHAMMED
Sports Editor

WENDELL CONSTANTINE, left of BG T&T chats with West Indies opening batsman Adrian Barath
yesterday at the Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of-Spain.
PHOTO BY ZAID MOHAMMED

WEST Indies opening batsman Adrian Barath yesterday urged young cricketers to work hard to attain their goals and to never give up on their dreams.

The 19-year-old right-handed batsman said that with perseverance comes success and that there is no greater feeling that accomplishment. Barath gave the advice when he delivered the feature address at the official launch of the BG T&T National Zonal Youth Cricket Tournament at the company’s Hospitality Suite, Queen’s Park Oval in Port-of- Spain.

The teenager made cricket history last November when he became the youngest West Indian player to score a century — 104 against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane.

Barath however suffered a hamstring injury and is currently receiving treatment which has kept him out of the first two matches in the current regional tournament.

He expressed his appreciation yesterday to all those who lent their support during his debut tour Down Under and spoke of the benefits of participating in a structured tournament like the BG T&T National Zonal Youth Cricket Tournament.

“Cricket has taught me life skills which will serve me on and off the field,” Barath said.

He recalled that it was always his dream to play cricket for the West Indies and he relentlessly pursued this objective by practising and preparing for the day when he would be selected.

Barath, who attended Presentation Collage, Chaguanas said when he was selected to play for the regional Test team, it was not on a whim but a result of hard work and dedication.

He said in the short time he has been playing for the West Indies, there has already been many memorable experiences such as bonding with his “band of brothers,” tasting sweet victory, and feeling the agony of defeat.

Barath thanked BG T&T for their continued involvement in the development of cricket saying he has benefitted from his participation in the National Zonal Youth Cricket Tournament.

He urged the youngsters to enjoy every moment they are on the cricket field and to always give of their best in the pursuit of their dreams to play at the highest level of the game.

Also addressing the launch yesterday was Wendell Constantine, Communications and Brand Manager of BG T&T who congratulated Azim Bassarath and his Movement for Change team for assuming control of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.

He said BG T&T was committed to the development of the nation through sport and lauded the TTCB for laying the groundwork to ensure the continuity of the youth programmes.

Constantine said that BG T&T recognise that the young cricketers are people before they are sportsmen and as a result have included a personal development component last year designed to encourage the holistic development of the participants.

He said the cricketers are being given the tools for high-performance both an and off the field through a partnership with Dolly and Associates to help ensure their positive development as young men of society.

“Sports teaches discipline, team building and goal-setting. Sports activities strengthens one’s character, re-orient attitude, develop mental power and are self-motivating.

“In the light if this, this year BG T&T will partner First Citizens to offer financial counselling to players as part of an effort to build financial literacy and discipline to help the cricketers make wise choices,” Constantine said.

“We are of the firm belief that this addition to the programme would be of tremendous benefit to players as it seeks to encourage the holistic development of young participants by exposing them to techniques, skills, knowledge and assessment tools for high performance not just on the playing field but in their overall personal growth,” said Constantine.