Newsday schols for youth cricket trio

ALESCON Comets all-rounder Imran Khan is among three national cricketers who have been awarded scholarships by Daily News Limited, publishers of Newsday newspaper. Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) second vice-president Baldath Mahabir made this announcement at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Academy inductees graduation ceremony at the National Cricket Centre on Wednesday night. Others getting Newsday schols are Samuel Felix and Brent Harriot.  This trio will be trained as journalists at the country’s leading daily newspaper and will be assisted in gaining employment at the end of their training period. The three players were among 12 graduating from the PowerGen-sponsored Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Academy as the class of 2004. PowerGen Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Garth Chatoor addressing the youngsters called on them to work hard at their game in order to rescue the West Indies cricket team that is not doing well at present.

Chatoor said: “At present the regional team is not performing as well as one would like and it is up to you youngsters coming through now to make a difference. “Make full use of all that you learnt while you were here so that we can produce  better cricketers in the future.” President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Ellis Lewis said his board will now be scrapping trials and instead picking players to undergo personalised training. He thanked PowerGen for sponsoring the academy and called on the players to make the board and sponsor proud. “There is no substitute for hard work, you all have to go out there and be interested in your development.

There is no fairy-Godfather that is going to assist you. Your success in the sport depends on what you want and how bad you want it,” Lewis said. Most outstanding student at the academy 2003-2004 was Tile It Central Sports opening batsman Satish Naidoo. West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Territorial Development Coaching officer Kumar Rampath said that the names of probable candidates for the next period 2004-2005 will be discussed after the TTCB name the trial squad for the regional limited overs tournament later this year. The TTCB are due to reveal the names of the players for preparation shortly.