TTCB shares the wealth

TTCB shares the wealth

Vinode Mamchan
Published: Guardian
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Cricket Whirl

TTCB executive member Patrick Rampersad, right, makes a point during an executive meeting. At left is CEO of the TTCB, Suruj Ragoonath and president of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath.
In what is being described as revolutionary and refreshing, the T&T Cricket Board (TTCB has decided to re-adjust their prize structure, in order to give grants to the major cricket clubs in the country.

This was revealed by chairman of the National League Committee, Patrick Rampersad, who told Guardian Media that the new move will assist financially struggling clubs.

Rampersad explained: “What we have decided to do is to make a slight cut back in the prize money given and to stop giving prizes all the way down to seventh and eight for the clubs. We think that a prize is something that you should get when you make yourself apart from the opposition. Bearing this in mind we decided that only the top three in any of our competitions will get financial rewards.

“In addition to this, we have decided to make slight cut backs in the prize money awarded. As an example, we have reduced to first prize for the Premiership three-day competition from $120,000 to $110,000. We have moved the limited overs from $120,000 to $100,000 and the T20 from $150,000 to $100,000. What this has effectively done is to give the board money to assist the clubs who are currently bawling.

“Over the last three years or so, the board has spent $3.1m in prize money. This method we are using will cut the prize money but will assist more clubs and hence cricketers. We are going to give every Premiership club $45,000, every Premiership II club $40,000 and each Championship club $30,000.

“By doing this we will ensure that clubs who does not have a sponsor or a good samaritan to assist with their bills, will get something to keep them afloat. This would lead to clubs not falling through the cracks, as we have seen in the past.”

Rampersad added that the clubs welcomed the idea: “The clubs have supported the idea and one member from Cosmos club called to say it was revolutionary and refreshing. I am very happy with this move because, it will not cost the board extra money and yet more clubs will get assistance.”

“One has to remember that the board is not getting the amount of funding that we would have gotten in the past. During the days of the Champions League the TTCB got good funding and we were able to share this with the clubs. In tough times we have to look at innovative ways of making money work and this is an example of that.”