Bassarath earns top accolade at President’s Club awards

Bassarath scored 327 runs and took 23 wickets for an average of 20.43 per wicket to edge out teammates Brandon Williams (363 runs/18 wickets) and Aaron Banwarie (267 runs/23 wickets at 16.26 runs per wicker) for the prestigious prize.

He pipped fellow outstanding cricketers Brandon Williams (363 runs/18 wickets) and Aaron Banwarie (267 runs/23 wickets at 16.26 per wicket) for the top award.

The trio was joined by Evans Metoo (35 wickets at 14.28 per wicket) and Wasim Ali (407 runs at 29.07 runs per innings) in the “Five Cricketers of the Year.” The awards function attracted a packed hall and was chaired by president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Azim Bassarath, a resident of St Mary’s Village, who was instrumental in the formation of the village team.

Among those who attended were Gowrie Roopnarine, chairman of the Princes Town Regional Corporation (PTRC); Kelvin Mohammed, chairman of the South East Zone of the TTCB; PTRC Councillor Nello Ramdhan; Dr Allen Sammy, first vice-president of the TTCB; Parasram Singh, president of the TT Umpires and Scorers’ Association, and Zaheer Ali, a nominated member of the TTCB.

Ali, a former outstanding youth cricketer, who is now a police officer and heads the Zaheer Ali Foundation, delivered the feature address in which he urged the cricketers and all who were present to join in celebrating the achievements of the new club.

He said that everyone associated with the club must share in their short history to date which he said reflected their desire to take their ideas a step further through its flawless execution and demonstrated that the members and supporters were determined to make a difference in their small community.

Ali, who is now a qualified attorney- at-law, said that in future the club should make a special effort to encourage more girls to take an active role in the club with a view to fielding a female team which he said will greatly assist in the promotion of the game and opportunities for the fairer sex.

He also complimented the club officials for their laudable initiative in meeting regularly and engaging in creative consultation which he said formed the foundation of a highly effective organisation.

Chairman of the PTRC Roopnarine congratulated the club for its efforts and pledged to do whatever he could to enable President’s Associates to acquire a playground to practice and host home matches in the TTCB competitions. They currently compete in Division Two of the South East Zone where they were runners-up this past season.

He also hailed the initiative shown by Bassarath, who is an alderman in the PTRC, to promote sports in the district, evident by the hosting of a sports day which was the first in 14 years and was deemed a great success.

Roopnarine said that he looked forward to Bassarath organising a cricket competition under the aegis of the PTRC in the near future, despite the fact that funds are scarce but he expressed confidence that the plan could materialise.

In her address, general secretary of the club Ashley Roopnarine gave a detailed account of the club activities during the past year which was highlighted by two fund-raising events which were well patronised.

Also attending the function were general secretary of the TTCB, Arjoon Ramlal and third vice-president Patrick Rampersad while former Comptroller of Customs Amar Samaroo also graced the proceedings .

HONOUR ROLL Five Wickets in An Innings: Brandon Williams (5 for 29 vs Poole United); Evans Metoo (5 for 31 vs Cedar Hill; 5 for 48 vs Poole United; 7 for 63 vs Tableland); Renny Jangeesingh (5 for 2 vs Tristar)

Best Bowling in an Innings: Evans Metoo (7 for 63 vs Tableland)

Most Promising Player: Inzimam Mohammed

Most Disciplined Player: Naresh Ramsamooj Members of St Stephen’s College, Princes Town, winners of the national secondary schools senior girls champions - Kasean Edwards, Patrina Gosine, Korina Gosine, Shenica Marshall Members of Barrackpore West Secondary, national

Under-16 girls champions: Diana Mohammed, Shannon Mohammed, Nayaar Bassarath

Member of National Under-17 team: Nicholas “Sancho” Ali Academic Excellence award for placing in the first 200 in SEA Exam - Isabel Mohammed

Most Wickets: Evans Mohammed (35)

Best Bowling Average: Evans Metoo (14.28)

Most Runs: Wasim Ali (408)

Best Batting Average: Wasim Ali (29.07)

Highest Individual Score: Fyzal Hosein (95 vs Poole United)

Five Cricketers of the Year: Brandon Williams (363 runs/18 wkts), Evans Metoo (35 wkts at 14.28 per wkt), Wasim Ali (407 at 29.07 per innings), Faoud Bassarath (327 runs/23 wkts at 20.43 per wkt), Aaron Banwarie (267 runs/23 wkts at 16.26 per wkt)

Cricketer of the Year: Faoud Bassarath

Club Member of the Year: Zulficar Terry Ali.