South-East backing Bassarath for TTCB elections

Mohammed and five other members comprising Ian Lalla (secretary), Rydell Ramsaran (treasurer), Bhim Saugh (ordinary member), Ashram Ramnath (ordinary member) and Ravi Teeluck (ordinary member) went up unapposed for the South- East elections recently.

The North Zone, which had elections on September 6, are in favour of the Dinanath Ramnarine-led team which is running against Bassarath and his team.

Ramnarine and his team which includes former West Indies batsman Daren Ganga would like to see a “one club/one vote system” being implemented along with the removal of the 12 outgoing votes currently enjoyed by the Bassarath-led team.

However, Mohammed says the South-East Zone will be throwing their support behind Bassarath outlining that the current president has decentralised cricket in TT . Mohammed stated, “Definitely (we would be happy if Bassarath is re-elected).

We share a common interest in terms of carrying the cricket to that level, decentralising cricket and getting it everywhere.” The South-East Zone has produced many national cricketers over the years in an area that has obstacles says Mohammed.

“I work in a country area and I know the challenges we have. I want to see youth and youth development. We are talking about fellas who don’t have a bat and a pad. Evin (Lewis), Shannon Gabriel, (Samuel) Badree, Jason Mohammed all came through South-East.

We are 35 years and it is moving and I think there is a rich legacy within it seeing national cricketers coming from all different areas.” Mohammed, a school prinicipal, explained that the entire zone is in favour of Bassarath but he has also let the South-East clubs know what Ramnarine is proposing. “Our clubs would have given us that mandate, not me alone is in favour of Azim Bassarath. It is our duty to let them know what is happening even what is being proposed by Ramnarine and his team.

The South Zone elections were held yesterday, while the East, Central, and North- East Zone elections will be held today. The South-West Zone will have their elections on Thursday, the final zone to have their elections.