Smoke engulfed the National Cricket Centre (NCC) because of a horrible bush fire last evening and while it raged, incumbent president Azim Bassararh was busy smoking out his contender Dinanath Ramnarine on the inside.
The Moruga resident who has been in charge of domestic cricket for the past nine years will continue to lead, after he defeated Ramnarine 31 votes to 13 for the top post of the sport locally.
Only on Monday, Bassarath was the subject of an audit for 2014-2016 conducted by the National Gas Company (NGC) which made national news headlines after the TTCB was accused of misallocation of $3 million dollars.
The funds were sponsorship from the NGC, a state-owned company which requested the TTCB to repay that money forthwith.
With this matter still unresolved, Bassarath still managed to win a confidence vote from the general membership in convincing fashion to the disappointment of his opponent.
The controversial Ramnarine, who together with a former national captain Daren Ganga raged a legal court battle with the organisation challenging the 12 outgoing votes held by the executive, proved to be not a worthy contender on the day.
The election of the officers to administer the sport was originally scheduled for October 2017, but the appointment of an Independence Review Committee (IRC) by the TTCB to look over the constitution and the legal challenge saw the Courts delaying the election process by almost two years.
The election of a new executive was the only item on the meeting agenda which had 44 persons present to vote. Only one member from primary schools showed up and due to the passing of executive member Patrick Rampersad and national league representative Camal Basdeo, the voting was down to 45 and not the usual 47.
The post of first vice president went to Arjune Ramlal. The second vice president Kerwyn John and third Parasram Singh. All elected as vice presidents unopposed. The post of treasurer went to Sukesh Maniam, while the general secretary is Surujdarh Mahabir who pipped Anil Kamal 23-20. The five executive members elected are Ann Browne-John, Manohar Ramadan, Sam Phillip, Anderson Persad and Kelvin Mohammed.
Bassarath became president in 2009 when he defeated former West Indies wicketkeeper, Deryck Murray.
In an immediate reaction, Ramnarine said it was still a victory for him because during the process he was able to bring to light many shortcomings by the TTCB. "Winning an election is just a small part of it and I will continue to fight for good governance."
He said that the elections were not fair as East Zone and a number of the affiliates were not supposed to have representatives at the elections voting when they flouted the TTCB regulations and did not have their house in order.
TTCB ELECTIONS RESULTS
President- Azim Bassarath defeated Dinanath Ramnarine 31-13.
1st Vice president- Arjoon Ramlal unopposed
2nd vice president - Kerwyn John unopposed
3rd vice president- Parasram Singh
General Secretary - Surujdath Mahabir defeated Anil Kamal 23-20
Treasurer - Sukesh Maniam defeated Mahabir Ragoonanan 28-16
TTCB Executive members
Executive members Ann Browne John, Manohar Ramadan, Sam Phillip, Anderson Persad and Kelvin Mohammed.