Minister of Sports Brent Sancho has been warmly thanked for making good on his promise to establish a cordial working relationship with the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (T&TCB) and for sparking a renewed sense of optimism and hope among sportsmen and women, and hardworking administrators.
High praise came when Sancho attended a function to distribute long-awaited stipend cheques for 16 cricket clubs who campaigned in the North East Zone, staged on Wednesday at the Guaico Government Secondary School.The former star footballer made history with the Soca Warriors when T&T became the smallest nation to participate in a FIFA World Cup when it was staged in Germany in 2006.
The dreadlocked ex-defender was praised at the function for hitting the ground running shortly after being appointed to the post in early February 2015.Also attending the function was president of the T&TCB, Azim Bassarath; Arjoon Ramlal, chairman of the North East Zone; and newly-appointed chairman of the board of the Sport Company of T&T, former national youth and senior team captain Dudnath Ramkessoon, along with cricket club representatives and other officials of the zone.
Bassarath said Sancho's selection to head the sport ministry was a step in the right direction and the T&TCB pledges to join hands with him to ensure that he delivers to the entire sports community, including cricketers.The top cricket administrator said he was certain that Sancho will give cricket the respect it deserves and also appealed to sports officials to unite behind the minister to ensure success for all stakeholders.
"We strongly believe that Minister Sancho can take sports forward for the benefit of society on the whole. However he needs our support and the unity of all to realise his plans and objectives. We intend to go forward with him," said Bassarath confidently.Now serving his third consecutive term of office, Bassarath said Sancho must be commended for acting quickly on the T&TCB's proposals to provide stipends and assistance to grassroot clubs which he said will strengthen the foundation of the game in T&T.
"We know the minister is trying to put sports on the front burner and his course of action adds a new dimension in this regard, and offers fresh hope for administrators and cricketers. We are confident that he will put his best foot forward and we will be there right behind him," Bassarath said to applause.
In his address, Sancho thanked the cricket officials and club representatives for their warm welcome and optimism expressed in his ability to make a difference on the local sports landscape.He said he agreed with many of the speakers who felt that sports needs a timely boost and promised to do all he can to help provide more opportunities for athletes, including cricketers, and satisfactory facilities for them to grow and develop.
Sancho said he has always been impressed with the wealth of natural talent that exists in the Sangre Grande district, highlighted by the success of the North East Stars football team of the T&T Pro League, with which he was formerly associated; as well as 2012 Olympic gold medallist, javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott who is from "just up the road" in Toco; and its promising basketballers, who also attended Wednesday's function.
He complimented T&TCB president Bassarath and his colleagues for leading the T&TCB in an exemplary manner and whose governance has been marked with accountability, transparency and great success on the playing field.Sancho said he hopes to see an increase in the assistance given to the nation's cricketers and their clubs in the not too distant future.