Momentum is building for the return of the Azim Bassarath slate of candidates to remain at the helm of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB).
Last week, shortly after the election date of Saturday 30th, October 2021 was announced, both the South East Zone and the Central Zone pledged their support for the incumbents.
And over the weekend, the Bassarath slate got a big boost with the ringing endorsement of the South Zone and the East Zone. Chairman of the South Zone, Chaitram Ramjitsingh said that he has no hesitation in backing Bassarath as those challenging the present administration are not united.
“Our Zonal Council took a decision to vote for the Bassarath slate as those opposing the incumbent officials are disorganized and do not offer any plan to take cricket forward.
While no opposition has been announced to challenge Bassarath to date, his slate will be seeking to 24 of the 46 delegates eligable to vote from seven zones and affiliates (North East, East, North, Central, South, South East, South West, Tobago, Umpires, Women, Primary and Secondary schools)
According to the TTCB release on Monday, Ramjitsingh’s backing was a welcome boost for the slate of candidates who are expected to jumpstart some of the national cricket programmes which have been stymied for the past 18 months because of the Covid-19 pandemic. “The decision was made by the South Zonal Council since we believe that we need the stability and the structure required post-pandemic if cricket is to recover from the Covid-19 setback,” said Ramjitsingh.
The support of the South Zone is especially significant as it has traditionally toed an independent line, and its allegiance almost ensures that the Bassarath slate will be favoured to assume a four-year term in accordance with one of the new amendments to the TTCB Constitution.
Ramjitsingh said that as president of PowerGen Sports Club, one of the leading Premier Division clubs, he is looking forward to working with the Bassarath slate to help move the local game forward.
He praised the TTCB executive for the measures that they took during the Covid-19 pandemic and yet were successful in keeping several programmes intact especially for the national senior team, and the Under-19s.
Ramjitsingh said that it was also very noteworthy and signalled the intent of the Bassarath slate that term limits for the TTCB president were placed in the constitution for the first time.
And on the back of the glowing endorsement of the South Zone, chairman of the East Zonal Council Joseph Sam Phillip said that his officials had no hesitation in backing Bassarath.
“We were of one opinion that the Bassarath administration had led us through the Covid-19 pandemic in a responsible way that kept the game on an even keel despite the great challenges,” Phillip said.
He said that the TTCB commitment to transparency and accountability is evidenced by their insistence that Zonal Councils fulfil the requirement to register with the Ministry of the Attorney-General and Legal Affairs in compliance with the Financial Investigations Unit.
“Under the present TTCB, every effort is being made to make each Zonal Council accountable in a way that is beyond reproach in regard to its financial affairs,” said Phillip.
He also made reference to the fact that of all the National Sports Organizations, only the TTCB was found to be 100 per cent in compliance with its reports and adherence to the strict rules of the Sports Company.
Meanwhile, nomination forms were made available for collection only at the TTCB's Administrative Office, Balmain, Couva from yesterday.
Each Nomination Form will require the signature of two (2) Proposers, who must be legitimate members of the Board, and as such must be collected prior to the Nomination Days.
Be reminded that the nomination days are October 14th and 15th, 2021. Nomination forms must be submitted on the above-mentioned days to member/s of the Elections Committee only at the Alloy Lequay Administration Centre (downstairs). No other person is authorized to collect Nomination Forms on behalf of the Committee.
Each candidate can submit a Nomination Form for only one position.
Members voting on the day will be required to submit via email/in-person to the TTCB Administrative Office, one form of picture ID (National Identification Card, Driver's Permit, Passport) no later than Friday 22nd October 2021, which will be placed in a binder to verify your identity on Election Day. You will be required to walk with the same form of ID submitted (on the day) in order to vote.