Boynes salutes cricket champions, vows help

ON BEHALF of the government of Trinidad and Tobago, Sport and Youth Affairs Minister Roger Boynes has extended congratulations to the national senior cricket team. On Sunday the team led by Daren Ganga scored a four-wicket win over Guyana in the final of the West Indies limited-overs tournament at Kensington Oval, Barbados. In a letter sent to team manager Omar Khan, Boynes noted that “in view of the fact that Trinidad and Tobago has not won a major regional cricket tournament since 1996, this victory will be an inspiration to our young sportsmen and sportswomen and to the youth of the nation as a whole.”

Referring to the fact that the team had to rally in the face of adversity, both on the field and off (due to the absence of players such as Brian Lara, Dwayne Bravo, Mervyn Dillon, Lendl Simmons, Dave Mohammed and Ravi Rampaul), the Minister continued: “The members of this young and relatively inspired team dug deep within itself, not relying on any one individual but on the collective strengths and abilities of each member to ensure victory for team and country.” Waxing political, Boynes pointed out: “This commitment and dedication by the team justify Government’s intention through the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago to make available substantial resources for the continued development of cricket in Trinidad and Tobago.”