TTCB – News

NP Ultra Under-16 Tournament: Club cricketers hailed as ‘true patriots’
April 14, 2011

JOHN GORMANDY, second from left, of NP seals the sponsorship deal with President of the T&T Cricket Board Azim Bassarath, third from left, together with from left, Aneela Jaggernauth, NP Brand Co-ordinator; Manohar Ramsaran, T&TCB Administrative Manager; Dudnath Ramkeessoon, first vice-president of the T&TCB; and Rae Gilbert, Communications and Media Relations Officer.

AZIM BASSARATH, right, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) collects a sponsorship cheque from John Gormany, NP’s Lubricant, Strategy and Export Manager.
PHOTOS COURTESY T&T CRICKET BOARD

THE NP Ultra Under-16 cricket tournament involving some of the most promising young cricketers in Trinidad and Tobago will add to the development strategy of the T&T Cricket Board and further cement the role and importance of the club structure in the national game.

President of the T&TCB Azim Bassarath at the official launch of the tournament on Wednesday at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva described club cricketers as “true patriots” whose involvement is crucial to the growth and development of the sport.

Bassarath said the NP Ultra Under-16 tournament, already in its third round, will extend the fabulous role the clubs are playing when traditionally development is left to the primary and secondary school s leagues. The T&TCB’s youth coaching programmes and their Interzone U-13, U-15, U17 and U-19 competitions.

He said the partnership between the T&TCB and National Petroleum, the state-owned oil and gas giant is a win-win situation which will redound to the benefit of cricket, the players, the competition’s generous sponsors and the country.

“They will participate in and enjoy quality cricket, administered by the T&TCB at well-appointed venues. Our clubs will broaden its membership base and create a sustainable organisation by utilising the cricket and other skills which our talented youngsters will bring to the clubs,” Bassarath said.

Present on Wednesday at the NP Ultra Under-16 launch were senior members of the T&TCB including Dudnath Ramkeesoon, first vice-president; Patrick Rampersad, executive member; Mahabir Ragoonanan, treasurer of the North Zone; Manohar Ramsaran, Administrative Manager; and Anil Kamal, secretary of the National League.

Reresenting NP were John Gormandy, Lubricant, Strategy and Export Manager; Aneela Jaggernauth, Brand Co-ordinator; and Rae Gilbert, Communications and Media Relations Officer.

Bassarath predicted that the NP Ultra Under-16 tournament will stimulate club loyalty and afford the budding stars “on-the-job” as they play and train under the hand of more experienced and seasoned cricketers.

“Disclipine, respect for authority, punctuality, teambuilding and patience are some of the traits our cricketers must display. A citizen displaying these attributes are an asset to any organization and an early introduction to club cricket helps to nurture and engender these traits in our young sportsmen,” Bassarath said.

The T&TCB president pointed out the value of a branded product to the young and impressionable cricketers who he said would be licensed drivers on the roads of Trinidad and Tobago who will be introduced to NP Ultra in a most dramatic fashion while at the same time are encouraged to practice road safety.

“When you bat you are taught to drive the ball safely but with elegance and timing. Let’s also teach our young cricketers to drive their cars safely and with elegance,” said Bassarath.

He acknowledged that a national age-group club competition is absolutely necessary but the T&TCB is undecided what group will be targeted. However at the end of the first season, the NP Ultra Under-16 competition will be evaluated in the post season when the achievements will be assessed and the extent to which the T&TCB’s goals and objectives have been met will be gauged.

Bassarath said that more than half of the clubs currently participating in the National League will be participating in the NP Ultra Under-16 competition and held out hope that it could be a national competition in the near future.

“Why not an Under-19 club competition throughout T&T, open to all clubs communities, churches, youth groups and the like? It may well turn out to be the incubator of new clubs,” said Bassarath.

He said the potential of the NP Ultra-16 tournament is limitless while expressing his appreciation for the hard work, dedication and commitment of the T&TCB administrators and club officials who have all contributed to an allround high quality and successful tournament.