TTCB – News

Bishop: Don’t ever give up on your dreams
July 23, 2011

FORMER outstanding West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop on Saturday used his life story to illustrate to a large group of young cricketers of what they can achieve in life despite what may seem insurmountable odds.

Bishop who holds the distinction of being the West Indian to achieve the fastest 100 wickets in Test cricket before his brilliant career was cut short by a back injury told the youngsters that they should pursue their dreams and not be deterred by the daunting challenges they may face along the way.

Now an accomplished international television cricket commentator travelling around the world, Bishop was speaking at a Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) organized Under-13 and Under-15 coaching programme at the Bamboo Settlement Government Primary School.

The programme was co-ordinated by West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Territorial Development Officer Kumar Rampat and in attendance on Saturday were Baldath Mahabir, TT’s representative on the WICB Board; Arjoon Ramlal, general-secretary of the T&TCB; Anisa Mohammed, WI and T&T women’s cricket captain; and Kadijah Ameen, chairperson of the Tunapuna/Piarco Regional Corporation.

Bishop held his young audience in rapt attention as he detailed how his love of cricket was cultivated in football loving St Ann’s, under the guidance of his mentors Arnold Reece, his first coach and then Kirk Newallo, his elder school captain.

“God has a plan for you and this includes striving for excellence. He did not make a mistake creating any one of you. My lesson for you is that you do not have to come from a privileged background to realize your dreams of becoming the best you can be,” said Bishop.

Described by T&TCB secretary-general Ramlal earlier as one of the finest fast bowlers produced in the region, Bishop told how he coped when his family split when he was just four years old and of overcoming great hardship living a quarter-mile up a hill with no proper roads leading to his home which was without running water and other amenities that are now taken for granted.

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t achieve. Once you have the love and desire whatever your dream of becoming in life, it is within your reach,” said Bishop. He impressed upon the youngsters the importance of being guided by their coaches and of the rewards that hard work brings.

Bishop said he has always been impressed with the attitude of top West Indies fast bowler Ravi Ram Paul who caught his eye at the Perusal Cricket Club and while first playing an a regional Under-15 competition in Guyana.

“Ram Paul is a humble cricketer who has a thirst for knowledge. Look what he has achieved. It is a tribute to his hard work and ability to listen. Hard work combined with your strong belief in God will get you to your objective,” said Bishop.

Bishop also commended the T&TCB for organizing the age group coaching programmes which he said was crucial to unearthing and nurturing talent like female cricketer Mohammed and in a way that is what is required to contribute to the reinstatement of the West Indies to the top rungs of the international cricket ladder.

“I must congratulate the T&T Cricket Board for their initiative in developing youth cricket as this is the direction we need at this time to rebuild the regional team’s fortunes,” said Bishop.