$650,000 SPENT ON TT CRICKET TEAMBy SEAN DOUGLAS and KERN RAMLOCHAN Friday, October 30 2009
SPORTS Minister Gary Hunt said yesterday Government had given $650,000 to prepare the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team for the recent Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 tournament in India.
But TT Cricket Board CEO Forbes Persaud told Newsday yesterday that no money has been advanced so far.
Last Friday, the Daren Ganga-led team stirred national pride by placing second in the tournament final held in Hyderabad, India, behind winners, New South Wales of Australia.
Hunt told the post-Cabinet news conference yesterday at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, that Government would continue to “put its money where its mouth is, without fanfare, to create the foundation for sports glory on a sustained basis.”
“In terms of cricket, the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has provided over $14.4 million to the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board for development programmes, and this year alone, $650,000 was spent on preparing our national team for the 2020 Champions League,” Hunt said.
“In addition, the Trinidad and Tobago Tourism Development Company also contributed $100,000 to the team’s efforts,” he added. “The Government did all that was asked by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board of Control,” he emphasised.
Saying he wanted to clear up “a public misconception” over the funding of the airfare and accommodation for the TT cricket team to go to India, Hunt said: “That cost was paid for by the tournament organisers”.
“Our support did not begin when the players arrived in India, but we were there from the very start, making sure that this team was adequately prepared for the tournament,” Hunt said.
However, TT Cricket Board CEO, Forbes Persaud, had a different spin on events in a response to the minister’s assertions.
Persaud denied that $650,000 was specifically given to the national team from government for the Airtel Champions League Twenty 20 tournament.
He explained that the government financially assists the TTCB for all tournaments they are scheduled to take part in a given year. “We have received no money specifically for the Airtel Champions League but we have been given money at the start of the year for developmental programmes and team preparation,” said Persaud yesterday.
He said that normally, the TTCB uses its finances when teams are preparing to compete in tournaments and for various other programmes then submit the necessary documentation and are reimbursed.
Persaud stated that team preparation normally costs over $500,000 since the team competes in several tournaments every year. He revealed that money is spent to offset costs for airfare, food, salaries and various other expenses.
The cricket administrator confirmed that the Trinidad and Tobago Industrial Development Company (TIDCO) made a pledge of $100,000 for the national team for the Airtel Champions League tournament in India.
“TIDCO wrote to us and said that they would give us $100,000. We have not received the money as yet, but we have that commitment in black and white,” said Persaud.
Hunt yesterday heaped praise on those who had helped the team at the post-Cabinet media conference. Recognising the hard work done to prepare the team to go, Hunt said: “It takes many long hours, and I therefore wish to commend the team coach, manager and support staff for a job well done.” Hunt said the national team exemplifies “all that is good and noble about the people of Trinidad and Tobago. It is a vibrant, disciplined and diverse unit, that is brimming with self confidence...”
He noted the team is now in Guyana playing in the President’s Cup regional 50-overs tournament. “More importantly, this team symbolises the strength and power of unity in diversity.” Hunt said this was the reason for the “tremendous support” Government gives to sports.
“The Government through the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs has been a strong and unwavering supporter of all the national teams including this national cricket team. I am confident that the investment that has been made in the development of this team will bear fruits for many years to come.”
Hunt said the Government would continue to focus on the preparation and long-term development of sports, to ensure the national flag will continue to fly proudly at international sporting arenas.
