Jack gives $1m to Cricket Board

THE WARNER Group of Companies, whose chairman is FIFA vice-president Jack Warner has given one million dollars to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) for their 2006 season. This was announced yesterday by Warner after an agreement was reached with Cricket Board president Deryck Murray. The substantial financial assistance, according to Warner, is being provided with the aim of ensuring that the game is properly run throughout the TTCB’s five zones including Tobago. He also hopes that the sponsorship will make the TTCB’s administration fully functional. The TTCB will receive from this month $500,000 to meet their administrative costs with  $300,000 to be disbursed equally among each of their five zones inclusive of Tobago.

Provisions will also be made of fax machines for each zone provided that each has a secure and functioning office. And for the second straight year, the South-East Zone will be the recipient of $50,000 through their existing sponsorship deal with the Warner Group of Companies. The other monies will take care of other costs including the fax machines. Warner, for the second consecutive year, will also fund the Cunupia-based Joe Public Munroe Road Cricket Club for the 2006 National Division League One season. This amounts to more than  $250,000 inclusive of administrative duties, team management and preparations, match fees and other incentives Warner said his contribution was merely an attempt to develop the sport of cricket and to ensure that TT is a well secured cricket playing nation for the future especially by the time the 2007 World Cup comes around. 

“Today we have with us the greatest batsman to ever live and he is a Trinidadian. I don’t need to tell you his name but I can tell you that we are today searching very deep for another individual as our next great one and this doesn’t come overnight,” Warner said yesterday. “The game of cricket must be alive in all corners of the country and it must be developed and well-managed. While you may have the capable hands, capable of doing it in the offices and on the playing fields, you also need the right resources to achieve it and this is merely my contribution towards reaching there,” he said. He added that while he is well-known for his involvement in football, his heart lies in the development of the country, moreso through sport, particularly the most popular pair here.

“People take Jack Warner and football and they put the two together but the truth is that I am also a  supporter of cricket and other sports as well and if this is another avenue that can be used for the betterment of our country and our young ones then I will make my contribution there,” he said. “These are sports where you have all races taking part. We all want to see more Brian Laras, Denesh Ramdins,  Dwight Yorkes  and Aurtis Whitleys representing us in the years to come but we must work feverishly and together to see this happen,” Warner said. “And I’m not into this for 2007 World Cup tickets. Hopefully Mr Murray and the TTCB will not also be wrongfully accused of trying to make a profit on ticket sales,” a laughing Warner added. laughing.