Incumbent president of the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) Azim Bassarath will be challenge for the top executive position today by former West Indies cricketer Dinanath Ramnarine, when the board hosts its annual general meeting (AGM) at 6 pm at their headquarters in Balmain, Couva.
Bassarath, who has been in charge of this country's cricket since 2009 will be going after this his fourth consecutive term in office. Ramnarine has challenged him before and lost.
After the print media reported yesterday that Bassarath was not going to be challenged, Ramnarine issued a press release yesterday indicating that he will be challenging for the presidency of the organisation.
He said: "During the last few days I have been approached by national league representatives and members of the north, south, and southwest zonal councils and asked to contest the position of President of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB).
"I have previously stated that I would not participate in any TTCB-related election unless significant changes were made to the governance of the organization. In this regard, my focus, with the help of others, has been to explore different avenues to transform and modernize the governance structures within the TTCB. Furthermore, I have always declared that I would support anyone who has similar objectives.
"After due consideration, I have accepted the invitation to contest the position knowing full well that the odds of succeeding under the very undemocratic governance structure that we are fighting to change, will be difficult, if not impossible.
"While the odds may be against us, we do not rule out the possibility that members might yet find the courage to stand up against the entrenched constitutional tyranny that is designed to protect the status quo in perpetuity. The representatives believe that members need to be faced with the stark choice of either voting for a change of a tainted or against it.
"It was in this spirit that I was petitioned to contest the position of president and accepted. If elected, we would immediately commence work with all arms of the TTCB to improve the governance structure and engage all stakeholders in finding a way to modernize and transform the TTCB. This will hopefully encourage corporate T&T to partner with the TTCB as we would be able to stand up to scrutiny.
"We would also work with all cricketing bodies – Primary Schools Cricket League, Secondary Schools Cricket, Umpires and Scorers Association, Women’s Cricket and Tobago Cricket Association – to strengthen their systems of governance and seek to strengthen relationships so all concerned could function in their respective roles more efficiently and effectively. We will also work on strengthening the Zones, Clubs and the wider communities that play such a critical role in our cricketing landscape and seek to develop a more robust youth development programme that would help to shape our young talent for the future.
A total of 47 votes will be up for grabs this evening and a simple majority will see either Bassarath or the former SPORTT Company chairman in charge of local cricket for the next three years.
Bassarath and his group are expected to finalize their slate today, looking for replacements for Baldath Mahabir, Tarandath Sammy, and the fallen Patrick Rampersad. Those on Bassarath's slate include Ann Browne-John, Arjune Ramlal, Sukesh Maniam, Zaheer Ali, Manohar Ramsaran and Lalman Kowlessar.
Ramnarine is expected to put forward former national captain Daren Ganga, Ian Ramlal, Mahabir Ragoonanan, and Anil Kamal. His group will also finalize their choices today. (Vinode Mamchan)