Opadeyi lauds symbiotic relationship with TTCB

“The relationship has deepened and widened to such an extent that women’s cricket has indeed been acknowledged, recognised and successfully integrated into the fold of serious professional sport,” she declared.

“This has been accomplished even while the TTWCA has been allowed to maintain its independence, as a professional association, tasked with leading, directing and managing national women’s cricket,” she added.

Opadeyi said the success currently been enjoyed by the national team and its star players on the West Indies squad are a result of the attainment of important objectives set more than eight years ago.

This was put into train when the territorial cricket boards were mandated by the world governing ICC (International Cricket Council) and the regional administration of the WICB to have men’s and women’s cricket managed under one umbrella body.

Opdeyi said the model developed by the TTCB and the then TTWCB (TT Women’s Cricket Board) has produced a winning formula, which has propelled the game forward and instead of being stifled, the women have gained added prominence since the merger.

“Kudos must go to the TTCB and its management for the openness and flexibility which have been evident in all our interactions.

Instead of wielding power, which they could have easily done as the dominant party, or attempted to take control of the management of women’s cricket, they have allowed our women’s association to set and implement their own plans,” said Opadeyi.

She noted that the confidence shown in the women by the TTCB is based on the awareness that the TTWCA knew, and better understood the needs and requirements of their members and clubs.

“What they (TTCB) sought to do was facilitate our efforts, encouraging and providing support, both moral and financial.

We can truly say that local women’s cricket had advanced under this structure and for this we are thankful to Almighty God,” said Opadeyi.

Reflecting on the recent 2015- 2016 season, she said it has been without a doubt a most successful and rewarding year with the TTWCA’s various league tournaments generating great excitement and attracting media attention.

She said the TTWCA staged four competitions namely the League, T20, Knockout and Sixa- Side in two divisions - Premiership and Championship - and this effort has coincided with the attainment of several laudable benchmarks at the regional level.

“We are pleased to report that after five years of not coming out on top, our persistence and determination have finally paid off,” said Opdeyi and cited the following: 1) The senior women’s team under the stewardship of Gerald Garcia, Marjorie Thomas and Wayne Samuel were champions in the regional 50-Overs and T20 regional tournaments; 2) Earlier the Under-19 team, under the stewardship of John Trumpet, Sue Lynne Rose and Shenelle Lord won the WICB Invitational competition staged here in Trinidad and Tobago.

3) Opadeyi said the Under-19 tournament is an important part of the TTCA developmental programme which gained sponsorship from the WICB and the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago.

4) Trinidad and Tobago’s Karishma Ramharack, selected as a reserve on the WI T20 champion squad, who was joined by Reneice Boyce for a WICB Emerging Player Camp staged in June; 5) Other local cricketers attending the camp were Felicia: Jamie” Walters and Lee Ann Kirby who had already secured their picks on the national senior squad.

Opadeyi said that Trinidad and Tobago’s top four players Merissa Aguilleira, Britney Cooper, Anisa Mohammed and Stacy-Ann King are continuing to fly the national flag high following the West Indies T20 victory at the world level.

“Special mention must be made of Anisa Mohammed’s record of 100 wickets in international T20 cricket (first male or female cricketer to do so). Also Britney Cooper played brilliantly for 61 not out in the ICC T20 Championship semi-final which paved the way for the team’s eventual triumph,” said Opadeyi.

These four cricketers are currently in Jamaica preparing with world champions West Indies for a T20 series against England over the next five weeks.

The top TTWCA also paid tribute to their generous benefactors who have contributed financially to their ongoing efforts, including the Sport Company, the executing arm of the Ministry of Sport; the National Lotteries Control Board; the National Gas Company, and the TTCB.