Rampaul goes Down Under

He was presented with the ticket and an information kit from the Australian High Commissioner John Michell at the Marriott Hotel at Invader’s Bay, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain.

He leaves today for the elite Australia Commonwealth Bank Centre of Excellence in Brisbane where he will undergo intense tutelage in the art of fast bowling for a month. According to Michell, the scholarship is being funded under the auspices of the Australian Sports Outreach Programme (ASOP) which Michell himself launched in the Caribbean in June.

He stressed that the awarding of the scholarship was an important step in building stronger relations with Down Under and the region.

Michell said that the Australian Government is now examining the possibility of awarding a scholarship during each year in the five-year life of the ASOP.

Rampaul who has been recovering from injury gave the assurance that he will do his best.

The CLICO Preysal bowler was selected among a large field of cricketers after being looked at as a prospect for the future of Trinidad and Tobago and the West Indies.

Rampaul said he was not setting himself any targets but was hoping to work as hard as he can with an aim of securing a place on the regional team soon.

Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes told Rampaul that there are high expectations of him.

Boynes called for the emergence of more fast bowlers in the region saying that he was hopeful that Rampaul will become faster when his stint is completed.

He also pointed out that government wants to extend the exchange programme between Trinidad and Tobago and Australia.

Boynes said Trinidad and Tobago have many things to learn from Australia adding that the sports policy of this country has been patterned from them.

He said that the Brian Lara Academy, under construction in Torouba will not compete against the newly refurbished Queen’s Park Oval, but will be another facility of international standard.

Boynes said Cabinet held discussions yesterday on ways to improve the Elite Athletes Programme in which outstanding athletes receive a grant of $250,000 for their enhancement and development.

“We want to produce more Brian Laras,” Boynes said.