Red Force players channel superhero ‘powers’
Sunday, January 31 2016
The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) in association with main sponsors National Gas Company (NGC) paid a special tribute to the Nagico Super50 champions, Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, on Thursday night,
Led by first-time captain Jason Mohammed and head coach Gus Logie, the local contingent was lauded for their successful title defence in the one-day format,
Present to celebrate with the team was Minister of Sport Darryl Smith, members of the TTCB inclusive of president Azim Bassarath and chief executive officer Suruj Ragoonath, several club representatives and the victorious team excluding former captain Rayad Emrit, batsman Darren Bravo and Denesh Ramdin (wicketkeeper),
In his short address, coach Logie commended his team which boasted a wealth of youthful inclusions. Logie revealed that prior to the start of this year’s competition, the players individually took on the roles of popular superheroes and brought to life their character while on the field of play,
He said that after hearing the cricketers speak of their favourite Marvel Comic book figures he had his son select the 25 most admired superheroes, pictures of which were plastered on a chart and given names of cricketers on the squad to best match their personalities,
“We had opening batsman Evin Lewis who slammed a century in Tobago, and earlier made 80 in the tournament, living up to his name, Wolverine,†said Logie. He also drew reference to rising star, Jon Russ Jagessar, who also lived up to his sobriquet of “Iron Man†as he bowled balls that the opposing batsman were unable to hit,
“We had some good fun and in the end our success was due to the hard work everyone put in, the healthy respect they players had for one another and their management team, and the way they shouldered the responsibility placed on them,†the former standout West Indian player added,
Also grabbing honourable mention was chairman of the national selectors Raphick Jumadeen and his fellow committee members who made sure the best players were chosen on any given day. Logie also said he begged to differ from team captain Jason Mohammed, who had earlier said that the Red Force team, “on paper†was not considered to be the strongest in the tournament,
“The game is not played on paper, but on the field. Our belief system, preparation and commitment was greater than the others,
It was all about the team and everyone played their part,†he continued,
Additionally, Minister Smith gave assurance to those present that the stalled Brian Lara Stadium project has already restarted at Tarouba. While he was impressed with the Balmain facility, Smith admitted that the Queen’s Park Oval cannot be TT’s home for cricket since it is privately owned. He has undertaken the task of ensuring completion of the Brian Lara Stadium,
According to Smith, “We need an official home for cricket and the Tarouba Stadium will soon become our home for cricket in Trinidad and Tobago.†He also emphasised that the government will not be building any new mega sports facilities but will instead focus on the proper maintenance of its current assets, several of which are yet to be opened, and will promote and encourage sports activities and competitions to engage the widest participation possible,
