TTCB – News

‘Eastern’ cricket starts on Saturday
January 19, 2010

THE 2010 Eastern Credit Union’s (ECU)-sponsored National Cricket League is set for its best season despite the global economic meltdown which have left many organisations out— Leg Before Wicket.

At a media briefing yesterday at the La Joya Complex in St Joseph the ECU confirmed their commitment to the development of the sport both locally and regionally, by signing a partnership deal worth $395, 000. The sponsorship will cover all expenses for the actual running of the competitions— Premier and Reserve Leagues, as well as prizes.

In addition, the Credit Union’s vice president Brian Moore explained that they will also honour their core responsibility by providing the top players of each round in the competitions with an account with $500 in it.

There will also be special prizes for most runs and most wickets taken, as well as for catches taken during the competitions.

He stressed that his company believes that the ECU-funded premier and reserve league cricket tournaments have become the breeding ground for top players in the region.

The two-day Premier League tournament serves off on Saturday with an opening ceremony and a meeting of the players by members of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and officials of Eastern Credit Union at Gilbert Park, Couva from 10 am.

It will be followed by a clash between defending champions Powergen and W Connection Wanderers.

Four other matches will be played simultaneously on that day. In another game Alescon Comets will face Ceramic Merry Boys at Pierre Road in Charlieville; and the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) will clash with Central Sports at O’Meara, Arima.

Two other matches will complete the start of the competition— comprising a meeting between First Citizens Clarke Road United and Queen’s Park Cricket Club (QPCC) at Wilson Road, while central powerhouse Clico Preysal and newcomers Rahamut’s Evergreen will square-off at the Inshan Ali Recreation Ground.

Dudnath Ramkessoon, chairman of the 2010 National League said the competitions will comprise the top 10 teams in the Premiership Division and the Reserve League.

All clubs stand to benefit from the ECU in the form of cash incentives- as incentives will be given to all 10 participants.

However the winners of the Premier League will walk away with a handsome cheque for $120, 000 while the runner-up will receive $70,000.

Third place team will collect $35, 000 and the team that places fourth in the competition will be $25, 000 richer.

In the Reserve League the top team will get $10, 000 with $6, 000, $5,000, $4, 000 and $3, 000 going towards the second, third, fourth and fifth place teams.

At yesterday’s media conference president of the cricket board Azim Bassarath said the partnership came at an exciting time for Trinidad and Tobago cricket.

“Our cricket and cricketers are setting new performance standards and our administration has been innovative and creative in moving the game foward,” Bassarath said.

The local cricket chief also highlighted the achievements of the TT team at last year’s Airtel Twenty/20 Championship in India; TT’s victory in the 50-over contest in Guyana; Adrian Barath’s debut century in Australia last year and the performances of Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard at the Aussies Big Bash T20 Championship- among many others, saying that all of the above happened within the last three months.

He described TT cricket as a development programme which has attracted many overseas players. Bassarath reminded all that stylish West Indies and Guyana batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan represented Moosai’s Sports in our local cricket competition.

“Our records show that players from every one of the six traditional territories have participated in our top league. My own feedback has revealed that regional coaches are encouraging their players to take part in our premiership in order to enhance their development,” he said.