(Trinidad Guardian) Batting legend Brian Lara was among 33 cricketers who were honoured by the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB) in a special event to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Nation’s Independence. The event took place on Saturday night at the Ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain. The TTCB named 50 of the nation’s outstanding cricketers and administrators for the period 1962-2012. Among the players honoured were the late Michael Joey Carew, Bryan and Charlie Davis, former captain Daren Ganga and current captain Denesh Ramdin. Among the administrators honoured were the long serving Alloy Lequay, the late Richard DeSouza and Lance Murray, as well as current president of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath. Also being honoured was leader of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) Orville London who served Tobago’s cricket for many years before entering politics.
Delivering the feature address was Sir Reverend Wesley Hall, former West Indies fast bowler and WICB president. In a stirring address he touched on all aspects of West Indies cricket that had the gathering glued to his delivery. Hall, who not only represented T&T at regional level, but also contributed to the country’s cricket development with the introduction of the Wes Hall Youth Cricket League, said it was good to see the Board honour people involved in the game, since cricket had done so much for the Caribbean.| “Cricket is a game that has led to integration of our people. I remember playing in a regional cricket match, where we had people from African origin, East Indian origin, we had Whites, as well as a Chinese. This is the power of the game and this has brought our people together.
“We have people from different countries with different backgrounds playing for the West Indies, so it is sometimes in order to succeed we need one source of motivation and this can be the turn around for our cricket.” He also touched on the relationship between the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB). “The relationship between WICB and WIPA must improve in order for us to move forward. There is a need for deep dialogue between both bodies, as only this can improve that situation.” Assisting in making the function a reality were the Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development, the Sport Company of T&T Limited and the National Gas Co. of T&T Ltd.
