Khan worried about TT’s cricket future

NATIONAL cricket team manager Omar Khan is worried about the future of Trinidad and Tobago cricket following the decision of the International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup 2007 Organising Committee to blank this country from major matches. Trinidad and Tobago was awarded the “Brown Package” at the allocation ceremony on Tuesday night in Jamaica. TT had put in a bid for the “Yellow Package” which included the opening ceremony, and the group with the West Indies and one semi-final. However local fans will now have to be content with the group which pits India against three qualifying teams.

Now Khan who has made tremendous contributions to the development of cricket  in Trinidad and Tobago is a worried man. “I am worried about the future of Trinidad and Tobago cricket as far as West Indies is concerned. “What really struck me was the fact that Guyana are given “Super Eight” matches while Trinidad and Tobago has only first round games. “I thought that with the world class venue we have and history in the game, Trinidad and Tobago would have been treated better in terms of allocation of matches.” Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president Ellis Lewis said he too  was disappointed when Trinidad and Tobago was not given the “Yellow Package.” “The Venue Assessment Team (VAT) visited all the countries and made recommendations and we don’t know what they saw unfit here in Trinidad. “It was stated in the bid book that once you sent in a bid there was no guarantee that you would receive what you sent in for and hence it was always up in the air.

“The Local Organising Committee (LOC) would now have to set up and run things like a business and we at the board are willing and ready to serve to make this one of the most successful World Cups ever. First vice-president Dudnath Ramkessoon said his organisation is a tried and tested one and he thought this would have counted in their favour. “Time and time again we are complimented by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) for our excellent handling of international matches. “This coupled with the fact that we have a world class venue at the Oval, should have swayed the committee in our favour and the “Yellow Package” should have been granted. “However having said this, we at the Board are still looking forward to the matches given and will be going out to do our best to make sure that the event is successful.”