Murray confident of U-15 success

“It is people like you who have made the West Indies an exotic and exciting combination to dominate the world scene for many years,” he told members of the Under-15 national team on Tuesday.

Murray was addressing the youngsters at the close of a Personal Development Camp at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, Couva.

“Apart from your training as cricketers it is important that you continue to pursue a path in life that will help you to be useful citizens,” Murray, a former Test wicketkeeper said.

Murray pointed out that the camp which was held for four days was aimed at upgrading their skills in the game in addition to strengthening their mental, physical and spiritual attributes.

The players are preparing for the regional tournament to be held in Antigua from April 9 to 22.

Murray said Trinidad and Tobago won the tournament in 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2005 and the pressure is on the present team to continue the winning streak.

“Just as we have done in football (for the World Cup) and as the senior cricket team has done in the Carib Beer series,” he said.

“You will be making another step in an exciting Under-15 journey and as Soca Gladiators (a name which they have adopted after the football Soca Warriors) the pressure is on you to perform at your best and I have all confidence that you will win,” Murray told the team which will be captained by Yannic Cariah of El Dorado Senior Comprehen-sive.

He urged the youngsters to work with commitment to maintain their reputation. “The opportunity is there to continue the winning syndrome and make the country proud of you,” Murray said.

Gail Decles, Public Relations Co-ordinator of bgTT, whose sponsorship of the team is approximately$230,000, said that the performance of the Under-15s through the years had always made the country proud.

TT Under-15 team— Yannic Cariah (captain); Nicholas Alexis, Yannick Ottley, Javed Boodram, Ricardo Maikoo, Qadir Shah, Sachin Boodram, Terrence Ramsaroop, Aaron Alfred, Nicholas Rampersad, Shaahid Mohammed, Marlon Briceno, Akiel Cooper, and Ako George.

Manager is William Wallace and coach is Dasrath Maharaj.