Boynes wants Ramdin in Windies side

Boynes was at the time addressing players, cricket administrators and businessmen at the Active Traders Limited Conference Room, Balmain on Wednesday. He later toured several playing fields and grounds in the area. Boynes said "Ramdin’s place is certainly on a West Indian team. That is where he should be at this time when we are showing signs of recovery."

And, making an obvious reference to aging Windies keeper Courtney Browne, Boynes said if a team had to lose, "they might as well lose with youngsters who could develop over time rather than taste defeat with old faces." "No matter what happens from now on, the place for Dinesh Ramdin is on a West Indies team and we should all clamour for it," Sports Minister Boynes added.

Boynes said Government remained committed to the development of sports. "We are working in that direction as Cabinet had recenly approved a National Sports Policy after much consultation with national sporting associations."

The minister spoke about plans for the construction of the $850 million Sports Academy at Tarouba and said that it was necessary if sportsmen and sportswomen were to be motivated to move to a higher level. Alloy Lequay, CEO of the TTCB, said that he would soon be giving up as the CEO, "to make room for younger people".

"But I always hold the view that Central Trinidad must be the focal point for cricket development and that was the reason for establishing the National Cricket Centre, at Balmain, Couva," Lequay said.