Change sweeps Central Zone Cricket

THE MOVEMENT for Change strengthened their position in the build- up for Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) election of officers yesterday by comprehensively sweeping the Central Zone in the Club Representative Elections.

There was a massive show of support for the Movement for Change slate led by former Chairman of the National Selectors, Dudnath Ramkessoon winning all six positions.

Ramkessoon who was removed by the current administration of the TTCB led by Deryck Murray made a triumphant comeback defeating the “Friends of Cricket” slate led by Mishri Lutchmedial.

Ramkessoon obtained 32 votes while Lutchmedial could only muster 22 votes. Also winning for the Movement for Change slate were Lalman Kowlessar (41 votes), Larry Kowlessar (36 votes), Avinash Jaggernauth (28 votes), Rajendra Poorai (26 votes) and Anderson Ramdath (28 votes).

The victory for the Movement for Change in the Central Zone has put them further in front in the effort to remove the Murray Administration from office.

The group, led by Azim Bassarath and comprising several experienced cricket officials have already won the North East and South East Zones. Bassarath yesterday commended the officials who supervised the Central Zone elections.

“The elections in the Central Zone was conducted in a professional manner and it is a shame the South Zone elections could not have been done in the same way.

“What is worse about the South Zone elections was the fact that the Chief Executive Officer and General Secretary of the TTCB, Forbes Persaud was present when the system was undermined, “ said Bassarath.

There was a walk-out in the South Zone elections with five major clubs not casting votes when ten new clubs that did not participate in the Zonal competition were allowed to vote. The Movement for Change has met with its attorneys and will be seeking legal redress to have the matter resolved claiming a breach of the TTCB’s constitution.

“There were some breaches in the South Zone elections and this cannot be allowed. New clubs cannot come in without the proper procedures and it is disgusting to see the to levels which people are resorting to win an election,” said Bassarath.

He explained that Movement for Change will not be contesting elections in the East and South West Zones due to the good progress and development made in those districts.

“The East and South West Zones have done very good and its administration have been quite outstanding. The Movement for Change does not want to interfere but wants to effect positive change.

“We contested the Central Zone because that zone in particular needed positive change and due to the amount of problems in the that area,” said Bassarath.

Kern Ramlochan
T&T Newsday