TTCB – News

Young women make Monroe Road proud
January 16, 2011

MAYOR of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar, left, presents Shannon Ashley Watson Ali with an award from the Monroe Road Cricket Club for her achievements in table tennis	GYSHAN LATCHMAN, right, collects her table tennis award from Mayor of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar
MAYOR of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar, left, hands over a trophy to Dayna Samaroo for her performances in table tennis	KAREEMA ALI gets her award from Mayor of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar for excellence in sport and academics
MAYOR of Chaguanas Orlando Nagessar gives Renuka Sitram with her award at the Monroe Road Cricket Club’s awards function

PHOTOS COURTESY T&T CRICKET BOARD

MONROE Road Cricket Club, under the stewardship of former Government minister Manohar Ramsaran has made remarkable progress and narrowly missed out on promotion last season by one point.

But quite apart from the disappointment of losing out in the protest room there was much for their members and supporters to celebrate when they recently staged a prize distribution function at their clubhouse in Cunupia.

And sharing in the prizes and awards normally reserved for their cricket stars were five young females whose achievements in the sport of table tennis won praise from all around and gave Monroe Road another reason to cheer.

The group comprised Gyshan Latchman, Renuka Sitram, Kareema Ali, Shannon Watson and Dayna Samaroo.

Tennis coach Vishnu Gookool under whose hand several national players emerged including Wayne Estwick, Nicole Motilal, Christopher Pugh and Carlos De Silva said he was extremely proud of the development of the young women.

In addition to performing exceptionally well at tennis in their respective age groups, the youngsters are all top students who have also excelled in other extra-curricula activities. “Without challenges there can be no accomplishments and these young girls have much to be proud of,” said Gokool.

Ramsaran, recently appointed Administrative Manager of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) congratulated the young women and welcomed them into the fold of the club.

He said that after close to 25 years, the Monroe Road club needed a softer touch and with the inclusion of females they will ensure that the fairer sex will not be left behind.

KAREEMA ALI, 15: St Joseph’s Convent, PoS, Form Four; 2nd Central Zone Under-15s; 3rd in Under-15s; 3rd Under-21s; 1st National Women’s “C” Class. Also plays the steel pan.

GYSHAN LATCHMAN, 12: St Joseph’s Convent, PoS: 1st Low Cost Under-15s; 1st Under 21; 3rd National Championships; 3rd Pearl and Bunty Lara tournament. Plays steelpan and keyboard. Also toured England.

SHANNON ASHLEY WATSON: Lakshmi Girls College, Form Five. 2nd in Scotiabank Schools tournament; 2nd Zonal Under-21s; 2009 represented T&T in Caribbean School Games; Also represented T&T at Under-18 category in Puerto Rico. She also plays the keyboard and is an excellent artist.

DAYNA SAMAROO, 16: Lakshmi Girls College, Lower Form Six. 3rd in Tobago Open Under-18s; 3rd in T&T Open; 3rd in Secondary Schools tournament; 2nd in Secondary Schools Girls Team event with Shannon Watson; 1st in Under-21 Central Zone; 1st in Under-18 Low Cost Gender Open; represented T&T in Under-18s in St Kitts. Also plays keyboard.

RENUKA SITRAM, 16: St Augustine Girls High School,. 3rd ranked in Under-18s; 4th in Under-21s; 5th in Women’s Division; Represented T&T in Caribbean Schools tournament in Puerto Rico; silver, bronze medalist in Venezuela; silver/bronze medalist in world circuit team doubles; represented T&T in schools tournament in St Kitts; 2nd in Palo Seco Credit Union 5K 15 and Under. She is also a classical dancer, Grade Four pianist and also plays chess.