TTCB – News

Caribbean Airlines sponsors cricket
January 8, 2011

THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board has launched a bold move to become self-sufficient and ease the burden on the Government Treasury.

President of the TTCB Azim Bassarath made the declaration yesterday in announcing a major sponsorship agreement with Caribbean Airlines.

It is the second significant show of support for the TTCB administration following last week's revelation that First Citizens has pumped in 250.000 TT dollars which will go towards the national team for the upcoming CaribbeanT2O Championships and the development of the game.

"Today I am pleased to announce that our national airline and the number one carrier in the region Caribbean Airlines has also come on board to work alongside the TTCB," said Bassarath.

Present at yesterday's function were Caribbean Airlines officials Head of Corporate Communications Laura Asbjornsen and Marketing Manager Alicia Cabrera.

Also there to hear the good news were the TT cricket team and leading cricket officials Omar Khan, Baldath Mahabir, Kelvin Williams, Dr Allen Sammy and Patrick Rampersad.

He said the TTCB has a major role to play in the development of cricket locally supporting more than 20 competitions and approximately 188 clubs.

"Also the National Youth Development Programme involves 114 communities across Trinidad and Tobago with participation by 3000 children." Bassarath said.

In recognising the poor economic climate that currently exists. Bassarath said that the TTCB will not simply wait on Government support but move towards securing mutually benefitting relationships with viable sponsors.

"To this end I am happy to announce the Board's official involvement on an ongoing basis with marketing consultants RAG Sport Marketing represented here today by former national cricketets Andre Lawrence and Gregory Davis.

"RAG Sports' role will be to assist the Board in obtaining corporate partners that will provide funding and other support to ensure that all the Board's programmes are successfully and professionally run." said Bassarath. "to Caribbean Airlines we want to welcome you on board with the TTCB Family and thank you wholeheartedly for your support.

"Without your corporate generosity it would have been much more challenging to make our organisation succcessful. We see your input as critical," said Bassarath.

The cricket chief observed that the last year presented several challenges highlighted by the fact that the national senior cricketers did not perform as expected on the regional stage.

This he said forced the TTCB administration to analyse the state of local cricket and to set the agenda for the way forward.

"There were many positives however the main ones being the very successful women's team who once again captured the regional title and the now official 'marriage' as one would say of the Women's Cricket Board to the TTCB." said Bassarath.

"Our youth teams were also very successful and the club and zonal competitions were once again played at a highly competitive level." said Bassarath.