Trinidad and Tobago: Human Settlements Practitioner Dr Allen Sammy commends TTCB for its contribution towards youth development

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) is enjoying the greatest level of sponsorship in its 43-year history for its various tournaments so far this season, as per Cricket360.

This notable achievement has been highlighted by Human Settlements Practitioner Dr Allen Sammy in commending the TTCB for the unprecedented show of support for national youth development and the governing body for cricket.

Dr Sammy, the chairman of the Penal/Debe Regional Corporation, said what makes the feat much more remarkable is the fact that efforts to attract widespread corporate and individual sponsorship have always been a challenge over the years.

Cricket360 further noted that indeed most National Sports Organisations are hamstrung in their respective initiatives by lack of funding and are often featured in the public limelight pleading for monetary assistance.

Not so for the TTCB, as mere months after the lifting of the two-year Covid-19 restrictions in 2021, the TTCB, under President Azim Bassarath, embarked on an ambitious mandate to expand its range of competitions at every age group, as per the reports.

Dr Sammy pointed out that the TTCB not only expanded its outreach to high-level youth, and women’s participation, but also offered more opportunities to senior players to address the National Selectors for the Four-Day, and 50-Overs Super Cup regional tournaments put on by Cricket West Indies.

As per the update shared by Cricket360 on its social media channels, to date, eight separate sponsors have underwritten 22 tournaments for the season. The Government has been a major player and pillar of support of the TTCB thrust through the Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago and the Sport and Culture Fund in the Office of the Prime Minister.

The S&C Fund has supported all nine senior tournaments, including the Premierships I and II League and T20 Festival. In addition, it assisted with the novel four-team Under-16 and Under-19 Cup tournaments.

T&T’s leading bank, Scotiabank, has continued to extend its outstanding generosity for more than a decade by underwriting the crucial TTCB’s youth development programme for Under-13 and Under-15 cricketers.

Not to be outdone, The Price Club Supermarket has matched this goodwill with its sponsorship of the North/South Classics for Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 Classics.

The Price Club, who has joined with the TTCB in a strong partnership starting pre-Covid-19, also sponsored the Under-17 Inter Zone competition.

Other sponsors who have also responded to CWI vice-president Bassarath’s call for assistance include Dream 11, the India-based sports platform, which has so far staged four T10 Trinidad Blast tournaments at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.

Accordingly, the exciting, fast-paced version of the game provides top-class entertainment and avenues for scores of cricketers, not normally in the national framework, to steal the spotlight and earn much-needed revenue in a franchise set-up which is live-streamed on the internet.

The latest show of corporate responsibility was demonstrated by Paria Fuel Trading Company Limited, which came on board for the Premier I, and II T20 Festival. Also joining the TTCB family this season is Point Lisas Steel Products Limited, sponsors of the Under-19 Inter Zone Tournament, and which has pledged its support for the next two years.

Additionally, it mentioned that Soca Kings, a group of south Trinidad businessmen, assisted in restoring the historic North/South Classic, which is viewed by many as the most competitive and prestigious annual tournament featuring the best players bidding for national selection before the Regional Four-Day Tournament.

Namalco Construction Company Limited also bought into the TTCB vision for a tournament which transitions players from the Under-19 level to Senior National representation by sponsoring the Under-23 Cup.

Dr Sammy, who has been involved with the TTCB in various capacities since its inception in 1980, said President Bassarath and his executive team must be congratulated for setting the platform to engage all age groups in competitive events at every level, which is key to restoring cricketing pride to Trinidad and Tobago.

The TTCB matches were played at the top venues, including the Queen’s Park Oval, the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, and community grounds around the country, offering the public rich entertainment during the day and under lights, according to Cricket360.

The TTCB program also created numerous opportunities for service providers to grow and extend their businesses and take their rightful place in the establishment of a legacy to serve the game for many years to come.