Anil pledges $5m for T20 campaign

Sports Minister Anil Roberts is ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago obtains the best possible preparations for the Champions League T20 tournament which will be staged in South Africa next month. The Minister yesterday promised a minimum of $5 million to adequately prepare the team for the tournament. Roberts said he is committed to ensuring the team has every opportunity to represent T&T to the best of its ability. He said he will also be providing incentives for the team to win the competition. The Minister said he was disappointed at the absence of star players Dwayne Bravo, Kieron Pollard and Sunil Narine who have chosen instead to play for their respective IPL franchises. “But I know this group remains fully committed to doing well and we will spare no effort in ensuring that their preparations are spot on.”

 

Minister Roberts said the last few weeks have shown how powerful sport is in nation building. “The achievements of our athletes at the Olympics highlighted the power and value of sport. And we are mindful of what the success of this team can mean for T&T.” The Minister said Team T&T has already  impacted on the world with its performances in the Champions League. “We want them to do better and go on to win the tournament. So we are going to give them the best possible chance,” he said. In response to the Minister’s pledge,  the T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) expressed its appreciation. In a release, the Board praised the efforts of Minister Roberts and said it was confident that T&T will field its strongest team with the players available. T&T, who were finalists in their debut to the tournament in 2009, will be missing the services of Pollard, Bravo and Narine but the T&TCB is satisfied that Government’s promise of assistance will set the platform for success. 

 

The hard-hitting Pollard, 25, plays for the Mumbai Indians while Bravo, 28, is contracted by the Chennai Super Kings and Narine, 24, was the star IPL performer this season with the champions Kolkota Knight Riders. Last year T&T played without Pollard and Bravo and did not enjoy much success after having to play a qualifying tournament to get into the main draw which they did successfully. However the unavailability of the duo raised serious concerns and Roberts had pledged to do all within his power to ensure that they were available for T&T. The T&TCB stated it was completely satisfied that Minister Roberts had done all he could but unfortunately the players opted to play for their franchises. The T&TCB said it was encouraged by the level of support Government and the Minister had afforded and is counting on their backing for the 2012 campaign for which the team is already undergoing serious preparation. The Minister also voiced his appreciation of the support shown for the national team at the recent Twenty20 for 50 Anniversary of Independence tournament at the Queen’s Park Oval. He is also optimistic that there will be a similar show of patriotism for the national team in another international T20 tournament this weekend at the same venue.