‘Dudes’ credits dad for award

Kallicharan, who worked at Caroni (1975) Limited and was closely associated with the then general manager Frank HB Blackburn, a Yorkshireman, played cricket for the company. “He was also a member of the Balmain United team and wherever he went to play he would drag me along to see the game so that I would develop a love for the sport,” Ramkessoon said yesterday.

The former West Indies Youth team captain and national players was yesterday awarded a Hummingbird Silver Medal in the Independence Day Honours list for his service to sport. Ramkessoon said he entered the game first as a player and then as an administrator, and is still serving as the first vice-president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.

He first made his mark as a student of Presentation College, Chaguanas (1964-71) and was captain of the junior and senior teams. He helped Presentation to reach the Cadbury secondary schools final in 1970 losing to St Mary’s in a close match.

“Dudes,” as he is affectionately called, was the first captain of the West Indies youth team to tour England in 1970 with former Test fast bowler Wes Hall as manager.

“We played unbeaten in that goodwill series,” Ramkessoon recalled.

He then went on to play for Queen’s Park (1971-78) and Wanderers and represented Trinidad and Tobago at regional level for many years and gaining a reputation as a most dependable batsman.

Ramkessoon was selected for the England tour because he showed remarkable leadership qualities as the Under-19 captain of the Trinidad and Tobago team.

From 1970-78, Ramkessoon was captain of the Central Zone; their Youth and Senior teams; the South Beaumont Classic Cup Team; and the South Colts team.

In 1971, he represented the TT senior team for the first time. He remember being a proud member of that team captained by Joey Carew which went on to capture the regional Shell Shield.

Ramkessoon was a regular member of the national side in the 1970s and was known for his reliability, calm approach to the game, his ability to analyse the opponents’ strategy, and his strong focus on the field. Ramkessoon joined the Central Zone of the TTCB as a nominated member and in 1988 he joined the Board.

In 1991 he was elevated to the executive member and in 1995 was appointed second vice-president. President of the TTCB at that time was Alloy Lequay while Ellis Lewis was the first vice-president. During that time the TTCB was highly praised by members of the Australian Institute for Sports who were invited by the Trinidad and Tobago Sports Company to develop a plan.

The Aussies stated that under Lequay’s watch the TTCB “was the most resourceful and progressive national sports association in Trinidad and Tobago.” Ramkessoon, now 55, is Marketing Manager of Trinidad Tissues Limited, with 21 years experience as a cricket administrator.

Ramkessoon said he would like to see the continuing developmental work which has already started at the National Cricket Centre to ensure the production of quality cricketers to serve and represent the nation and to move on to the regional level to play a significant part in helping the West Indies to regain their international cricket image. Ramkessoon urged young cricketers to note the improvement of players like Dwayne Bravo, Daren Ganga, Lendl Simmons, Dave Mohammed and Denesh Ramdin, and to make every effort to follow their example.

He said he felt a deep sense of honour to receive the National Award and hopes that it will inspire others to dedicate themselves to the process of nation buidling.

“I always wanted to give something back to sports which has given me so much satisfaction in life,” he said.