AZIM BASSARATH, president, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), has renewed calls for an international venue to call their own following the removal of the Caribbean T20 Tournament from Trinidad due to the high cost of renting the Queen’s Park Oval.
The controversial Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba was supposed to fill that role but cost overruns and other challenges have left the venue in disarray.
The facility, which was supposed to be completed in time for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2007, is still under construction with approximately one billion dollars already spent on the project. The stadium was originally expected to cost $275 million.
Bassarath believes having a proper home for local cricket is essential and defended his organisation’s handling of the hosting of the Caribbean T20.
He noted that their detractors are using the issue to lambast his organisation but he remains adamant that they did all they could to keep the prestigious tournament in Trinidad.
“The latest ill-tempered barrage (against the TTCB) has come about as TT were originally scheduled to host the 2012 Caribbean T20 Championships but were substituted at the last moment with Antigua as the West Indies Cricket Board failed to reach an agreement with the Queen’s Park Cricket Club for the Oval venue. At all time during the process, the TTCB has fulfilled its obligation to the letter and regrets that cricket fans are being denied the opportunity to see the regional stars in action,” he said.
Bassarath, speaking at the Movement for Change Fundraiser held on Saturday at the Preysal High School, used the opportunity to make a plea for a facility.
“The unfortunate development does, however, make a strong case for us moving ahead to establish a facility which can undertake regional and international matches and which will offer the best for the players and patrons,” he added.
Bassarath, whose “Movement” slate was recently re-elected unopposed at the TTCB biennial elections, also outlined his party’s achievements and plans for the new term.
Bassarath noted that they have faced tremendous challenges in introducing change from their opponents but clubs have been more receptive of their ideas.
“Thankfully, the major stakeholders in the local game, made up primarily of our like-minded clubs and administrators, do not share that view and have indicated to us that they value collaboration and consensus and want to have a meaningful say in how the game is run,” he said.
The TTCB boss boasted about the proliferation of TT players in the current West Indies team and believes it is as a result of their commitment to development.
“We had long ago realised that if TT are to attain the pinnacle of regional supremacy in all form of the game, emphasis must be placed on the development programmes focussing on the respective age groups starting from primary schools leading up to the Under-19s.
We hoped that this would act like a feeder into the national senior team and ultimately the West Indies Test side...but better was to come when eight TT players were called for the subsequent One-day series against India,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Bassarath hailed his group’s creativity in attracting sponsors as funding from Government has decreased significantly.
“You see my friends, confidence in the Cricket Board’s policies and plans and their commitment to transparency, accountability are at an all-time high especially in this time of dwindling of financial resources available to cricket from the Sport Company of Trinidad and Tobago. And it is through the effective marketing strategies of the TTCB that sponsors have come forward to assist in providing the type of competitions which offer attractive prizes and keep national cricketers in readiness,’ he explained.
Source: www.newsday.co.tt