?The administrative manager of the T&T Cricket Board, Rambhai Patel, has called on the public of T&T to wear red clothing today. According to Patel, this is in support of the national team in the final against New South Wales Blues in the AirTel Champions League T20 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad. The local team under the astute captaincy of Daren Ganga reached centre stage when they defeated the Cape Cobras by seven wickets at the same venue, yesterday. The T&T team have gone unbeaten in their five matches and have been guaranteed US$1.3m by the organisers for reaching the final.
If T&T are successful in the final, the team will pocket a handsome US$2.5m. There will be a pre-game show at 10 am on CNC3, with Sports Director Roger Sant, and a post-match discussion at 1.30 pm. Meanwhile, congratulatory messages keep pouring in for the team for their awesome victory yesterday and for reaching the final today. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday said that this team will go down in history as the Caribbean squad that persevered and began their journey in the competition without sponsorship. "I want to send my congratulations to captain Daren Ganga and his men for the skill and talent demonstrated to the world as they showed vigour and team spirit in each match," Panday said.
He added that the Opposition and its members recognise and celebrate this remarkable achievement and it is definitely a big boost for T&T and cricket as a whole. Panday said that it is his wish that more young men and women get involved in the sport. "Let us now embark on a strategic plan and set targets for the future development of cricket. This is a magnificent win (yesterday's semifinal). It was both an entertaining and outstanding performance. The nation is very proud of you. Good luck tomorrow (today)."
Also sending congratulations to the team was the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) on behalf of the Government and people of T&T. "The partnership of captain Daren Ganga and all rounder Dwayne Bravo sealed the victory for T&T and earned us a place in the finals.
Indeed the team has demonstrated its prowess on the field of play, representing the Red, White and Black with a level of excellence. This is a testament of the developmental work undertaken by the T&T Cricket Board and facilitated by government subventions," the Ministry of Sport pointed out. The Sport Ministry is also calling on the entire population to heed the call to wear red today as a show of support for the team as they play the final match of the tournament. The West Indies Players' Association headed by former T&T and West Indies leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine have also sent a congratulatory letter to the T&T cricket team on their success in reaching the final. "The high quality and consistency of the team's incredible performance have brought immeasurable joy, respect, motivation and recognition to the region and its cricketers," Ramnarine said.
Also adding his bit was Fifa's vice-president, Austin 'Jack' Warner, who is currently on business in Nigeria. "My Fifa colleagues who watched the live broadcast of the match here in Nigeria found it to be one of the most entertaining sporting events ever. Under the captaincy of Daren Ganga, the team once again displayed confidence, organisation and skill and delivered yet another sterling victory," Warner said. He reminded the team that the country is proud of their accomplishments thus far in this tournament and they have brought honour to the tiny twin-island nation and our Caribbean siblings at a time when regional cricket is searching for direction and hope.