Lara teams up with bmobile to assist TT Under-15s

This is the second consecutive year that the “Prince of Port-of- Spain” has had a direct personal input in TT’s youth teams, courtesy the bmobile Future Stars Cricket Programme. As the Under-15s held their closing training session, the record-breaking athlete imparted his knowledge and experience to the youngsters in a light motivational dialogue. He has been doing so over the past few weeks to bolster their competitive mentality ahead of the tournament.

“It’s an opportunity that I didn’t have,” said Lara. “Back in my day, there was no age group representation at this level. Travelling to Barbados in your national colours for any 14 or 15-year old is going to be very special.

“Also, what bmobile has done is understand their role as a company who gives back. I’m proud that they have chosen cricket to put a lot of focus on, especially at this level. They have chosen to spend money and time with development which is crucial.” Having held the first edition prior to the start of last year’s three (Under-15, Under-17, Under-19) Regional competitions, the players’ progress was evident. So much so, that TT returned home with three titles - two 50-Over crowns (Under- 15, Under-17) and a Three- Day trophy (Under-19).

TSTT’s vice president of marketing, Camille Campbell, shared that the company was pleased to once again facilitate the Future Stars Programme, in collaboration with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB).

“The bmobile Future Stars Cricket Programme is designed to support our nation’s youth. We remain committed to giving back to our young people and this is just one avenue that we show our interest and appreciation. Good luck to the Under-15s as they go out and fly the red, white and black with pride,” stated Campbell.

Guided by last year’s trophy-winning coach, Glen Dwarika, only four cricketers from the victorious 2016 squad have returned for the 2017 leg. Dwarika though, remains quietly confident in his youthful squad.

Additionally, TT will also be hoping to mirror the successes of the National Under-17 team, who recently retained their Regional crown on home soil.

“These young guys have thus far shouldered their responsibilities and we have gelled well as a team,” Dwarika noted. “They have been training towards pin-pointing weaknesses in the opposition and thinking with a cricket-centred approach.

“We have a good mixture of players and we’re not going to underestimate any team. The involvement of Lara and other experienced local cricketers have played an integral role in further strengthening the minds of the players,” explained Dwarika.

Newly-appointed captain of the Under-15 squad, 14-year-old Tariq Mohammed of Presentation College in San Fernando, also intends to give full account of himself as a leader and team player.

“It’s a great feeling to represent our country once more. There is a bit of pressure on us because we’re the defending champions. But we’re not going to overestimate anyone and underestimate ourselves.

We have to give our best.

The training camps that were held, helped our team to come together and understand each other,” revealed the right-handed opening batsman.

The National Under-15 team will be housed in the dormitories of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Cave Hill Campus.

According to coach Dwarika, he believes this is an ideal setting for the young men as it presents a tertiary level style of living and thinking.

“It’s good to open their minds to sports and academics. They go hand-in-hand and once applied correctly, bring resounding success.

That being said, we want to thank the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, sponsors and the parents of these young men,” Dwarika concluded.

TT Under-15 Squad - Tariq Mohammed (captain), Giovanni Gajadhar (vice-captain), Aaron Bankay, Sachin Emrit, Gerard Lee Chin, Kyle Roopchand, Aneil Pitiram, Darren Samlal, Andrew Rambarran, Anderson Mahase, Chadeon Raymond, Mathew Gittens, Avalon Changoor, Justin Manick; Sion Hackett (reserve), Shiva Sankar (reserve); Anthony Ramjit (manager), Glen Dwarika (coach).