New head for TTCB

REPRESENTATIVES of the cricketing fraternity in our country will vote today for a new president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board to succeed Mr Alloy Lequay who, after more than 20 years in the post, has chosen to step down. We expect that these persons who are engaged in the administration of the game at all levels will vote with the best interest of cricket in mind. We feel sure they will all agree that the impressive development of cricket as a national sport in TT is the result of the dedicated work of the TTCB and, in particular, the extra-ordinary personal contribution made by Mr Lequay who, many will be relieved to know, will still be carrying on as Chief Executive Officer of the Board.

The fact that some 42 persons, including members of the outgoing executive, representatives of the six zones, the Secondary Schools Association, the Women’s Cricket Association and the Super League, will be entitled to vote is an indication of the democracy that exists in this popular game which, by any standards, must be considered one of the best organised sports in the country. Looking into the future, they will have to consider who among the two candidates for the presidency will be better qualified to help the Board in maintaining the stability and progress that have already been achieved, the excellent spirit of cooperation that exists and, most importantly, the level of selfless voluntary service that has given such a wholesome character to the administration of cricket in our country. The delegates will have to choose between Mr Ellis Lewis, first vice president of the Board, who has been Mr Lequay’s understudy for many years and enjoys the outgoing president’s personal endorsement, and Mr Deryk Murray, former West Indies vice captain and wicket keeper who also once played professional cricket for Warkwickshire.

The more reserved Mr Lewis may not be as popularly known as the more outspoken Mr Lequay, but his experience, skill and expertise in the administration of cricket both at home and in the region cannot be challenged. At present, Mr Lewis, who is one of TT’s two representatives on the WICB, is engaged in a major assignment as chairman of the local organising committee entrusted with preparations for the World Cup in 2007. Mr Lewis’ responsibility may be seen in the fact that our country has undertaken to host six matches of the World Cup competition including the opening ceremony and one of the two semi-finals. Recently, Mr Lewis went to South Africa where he attended a meeting of the International Cricket Council to discuss World Cup plans on behalf of the WICB. Three weeks ago he represented TT at a regional meeting on the World Cup in St Lucia.

Opposing Mr Lewis for the TTCB presidency is a former star of West Indies cricket, a member of the team which dominated the international game in the 70s and 80s. Mr Murray had been chosen by Mr Lequay to serve as director of the Sir Frank Worrel Cricket Centre at Balmain but, after a year on the job, he gave it up for the post of Vice President of the Guardian Life Group of Companies. The game of cricket in TT has been fortunate to have the quality of administration given by the Board over two decades, a period of progress in which the country has produced a number of excellent West Indies Test players. Those voting today should be guided by the best interest of the sport and a desire to maintain its impressive record.