Boynes: Corporate TT must help sport

In a passionate address to TT’s successful cricketers, both male and female, at the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre, Balmain on Tuesday, eve of the country’s 43rd Independence Anniversary, Boynes extended heartiest congratulations to all the successful cricket team members and said: "I take this opportunity once again to call upon all business organisations and companies to support the sporting talents of our country.

"Our sports people need your support to develop their talents and to lift the standard of performances which will eventually bring pride and joy to all Trinidadians. And I would like to see more support from corporate Trinidad and Tobago."

The Minister outlined Government’s proposals to upgrade all sporting facilities in the country and also to build new ones. He pointed out that top class performers will not emerge without having the infrastructure andfacilities to improve their skills.

He spoke in the presence of TTCB’s president Ellis Lewis, 1st vice-president Dudnath Ramkissoon, TTCB treasurer and WICB director Richard DeSouza and chairman of the Sports Company of TT Gerard Ferreira along with parents of players, cricket officials, sponsors and well-wishers. Boynes said: "Cabinet has approved $85 million for the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago. Then there would be an additional $120 million which will go towards upgrading all the major playing fields in the country and to build new ones as well.

"Government is also spending $235 million to build the Brian Lara Cricket Stadium, not only for the World Cup matches but to have top class facilities where the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board will utilise in preparing the cricketers to be the best in the region. This will help to strengthen our cricket and also to make the West Indies stronger." He praised the wonderful job done by the officials of the TTCB and rates them as second to none in the Caribbean. Boynes paid special tribute to the Board’s CEO Alloy Lequay and ranks him among the best, not only in the Caribbean but worldwide.

The Minister congratulated the cricketers on their unique achievements and exhorted them to keep training and to remain focused on their goals. He said: "As a nation, we are proud of your achievements and we are so happy for the inspiration that you all have provided for everyone in this country.

You all have brought a lot of pride and joy to our country and I want to thank you most sincerely."

Under the astute leadership of Daren Ganga and with an inexperienced and youthful contingent, TT won the President’s Cup last October, 31 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados to start the victorious march which culminated with Stephanie Power’s women team double-crowned achievements in St Vincent and the Grenadines on Sunday last.

In addition to those triumphs, TT’s under 15 and under 19 teams secured their respective age-groups regional titles. The Under 15, with skipper Kjorn Ottley, triumphed at home while captain Jason Mohammed recorded the double in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

It was six titles out of seven competitions for the national outfits, a unique unprecedented achievement by any Caribbean nation. TT reached the semi-finals in the Carib Beer Cricket Series, the one elusive title from among the seven regional competitions.

TT’s cricket stands at an all-time unparallel high among all teams which comprise the West Indies Cricket Board. No nation has ever enjoyed such a sweeping success.

Lewis stressed that the Board is happy to bring together all the players and officials who have worked hard for the achievements that were accomplished. "We are happy to bring everyone together and to bask in the glory of our cricketers success. It is a reflection of the policies of the Board and the dedication of our officials that we have achieved so much.

"We have a lot of talented cricketers in Trinidad and Tobago and we will seek to improve their standard. When the standard of the Trinidadian players is improved, the standard of West Indies cricket will improve. That’s the goal of the members of our Board." Lewis emphasised.