TTCB – News

Trincity League Celebrates 40th Anniversary
November 14, 2011

PRESIDENT of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) Azim Bassarath has paid glowing tribute to the Trincity Cricket League who recently celebrated their 40th anniversary at a gala function staged in Tacarigua last Saturday.

Bassarath told the distinguished gathering that the Trincity League is representative of the community organisations that form the bedrock of the sport and that the T&T Cricket Board will afford them all the support they need to fulfill their worthy objectives.

The newly elected president of the T&TCB was delivering the feature address at the function and described the invitation from Trinity as auspicious since it was the first time he was visiting the league as president, mere weeks after  being returned for a new two-year-term of office.

“Much of the success enjoyed by my administration and the Trincity Cricket League over the years can be attributed to the resolve shown by both organisations to remain focused and committed to providing a high standard of service to the national community through the Gentleman’s Game,” said Bassarath.

The local cricket chief said that it is no mean  feat to celebrate 40 years of cricket administration since the expectations of the public can make the job of officials very challenging and he commended the Trincity League pioneers for their vision and foresight in maintaining the highest standards.

“The T&T Cricket board has taken note of the outstanding contribution of your long-serving officers to the game of cricket and we re-commit ourselves to giving the Trincity Cricket League our fullest support to strengthen and nurture its growth and development,”  said Bassarath.

He said from its humble beginnings four decades ago, the Trincity Cricket League continues to provide an important platform for raw, young talent to showcase their potential in addition to providing the motivation and encouragement to excel.

“We are mindful of the increasingly significant role that minor leagues play in laying the groundwork for success at all levels of the game and Trincity stands testimony to this by offering wonderful opportunities for their holistic development,” said Bassarath.

The top Cricket Board official reminded the gathering of the great strides his administration has made in the last two years including a restructuring of the National League  and the securing of valuable sponsorship in dire economic times to sustain important development programmes.

Bassarath said updating of the skills of umpires and coaches featured high on the agenda of the T&T Cricket Board and the strengthening of the club structure will remain the focus of the new administrative initiatives pursued in the 2011-2013 term of office.

“It is the work of the visionary Alloy Lequay who during his long and tireless struggle to provide equality and justice in cricket, firmly established the Cricket Board  as the most transparent, honest and accountable National Sports Organisation in the country,” said Bassarath.

He highlighted the support shown by sponsors such as the National Gas Company, British Gas,  the National Lotteries Control Board, First Citizens, Caribbean Airlines and Gatorade for demonstrating their corporate responsibility in providing financial resources to organize top class competitions at all levels of the local game.

Bassarath said the corporate  sponsors continue to show great confidence in the administrators of local cricket and that his team of officers is reassured of their continued support despite the criticisms leveled by Cricket Board detractors.

Despite facing serious financial challenges when funds from the Sport Company has all but dried up the Cricket Board has had to resort to prudent financial management and innovative marketing strategies to attract new sponsors and hold our traditional dedicated ones to keep our development programmes going,” said Bassarath.

The T&TCB president said that in moving forward, his administration would harbour no animosity nor demonstrate any behaviour that would betray their commitment to serve all stakeholders involved in local cricket.

“As we dispense with our responsibilities concerning local cricket at the highest level, there is no room for acrimony nor will there be any attempts to score cheap points. The election season is over and we must now all roll up our sleeves and put our noses to the grindstone and work together for the benefit of the cricket community we serve,” said Bassarath.

He said the future looks bright for T&T cricket as can be gleaned from the growing list of national cricketers who have  broken into the West Indies senior and “A” teams and those who  are knocking loudly on the doors of the regional selectors.

“We are on the right path and need to stick together to realize the great potential that our talented cricketers possess. We look forward to working with everyone who holds the national interest at heart for continued success,” said Bassarath.