NGC committed to local cricket

This point was made loud and clear by Alistair Narinesingh, Community Relations Officer of the National Gas Company (NGC), primary sponsors of the National Cricket Academy administered annually since 2002 by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.

Narinesingh was delivering an address at the graduation of the 2016 class of inductees last Wednesday at the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre at Balmain in Couva.

He said that at this time of the year when reflection and thoughtful re-assessment is being made by the NGC Group, which has invested heavily in several note-worthy initiatives across Trinidad and Tobago, he is compelled to admit that the sport of cricket under the TTCB is worthy of their continued robust support.

“We have partnered with the TTCB for a number of years and we are always heartened by the talent and promise of the young cricketers who participate in the development programme which the NGC funds,” Narinesingh said.

“Even more exciting is the fact that so many young people springboard from these programmes into national and regional platforms, where they not only debut as names to watch, but shine,” he said.

Narinesingh pointed to the emergence of the two most recent exemplary products of the NGC/ TTCB National Academy __ Jyd Goolie and Kirstan Kallicharan __ who played a significant part in the victory of the West Indies Under-19 team at the ICC World Championship in Bangladesh at the beginning of the year.

“Kirstan was named the TTCB’s ‘Youth Cricketer of the Year,’ in 2016, a testament to the success of the NGC/TTCB National Academy.

We have no doubt that the training and guidance received during their time with the National Academy catalysed their development, and we are confident that all of you graduates are equally equipped to make your mark on cricket,” Narinesingh said.

He also dished out some timely words of advice to the youngsters: “Greatness is well within your reach. Be disclipined in your game, work hard, play fair. To you has fallen the task of restoring West Indian cricket to a place of prominence on the international stage and you have a nation behind you, supporting you, willing you to succeed.

“Today we rally around the Bravos (Dwayne and Darren), (Kieron) Pollard, (Denesh) Ramdin, (Sunil) Narine. Whose surname we will be wearing on our shirts in years to come? Perhaps the entire future of the national cricket team is sitting in this gathering today. You are certainly capable, so do not settle for mediocrity, strive for greatness,” said Narinesingh.

The NGC official also applauded the effort of the parents and guardians of the young graduants for their unstinting devotion and commitment in the pursuit of their charges for a career in cricket, and urged them to continue their encouragement to help the boys realise their fullest potential.

“The road ahead will not be easy, but these youngsters have demonstrated outstanding talent and it would be a shame not to see their potential realised for lack of support. In that regard, the future of TT cricket hinges as much on your performance off the field as it does on theirs in the middle. No pressure though,” he advised sagely.

Narinesingh thanked the TTCB under the leadership of president Azim Bassarath for completing another successful instalment of the NGC/TTCB National Academy saying emphatically that the efforts and advice of the national governing body for the sport is noted with appreciation and high regard.

“The NGC remains your committed partner as you work to grow the sport locally and regionally,” Narinesingh said.

He also heaped praises on the performances of all the national cricket teams with the observation that Trinidad and Tobago emerged victorious in seven of nine regional tournaments they participated in this past cricket season which is unprecedented in the nation’s sports history.