Murray: We remain open, transparent

The battle for control of the T&T Cricket Board (T&TCB) has taken a new turn, with the incumbent Deryck Murray led-administration responding to statements made by its opposing body “Movement for Change,” which is making a bid to replace the T&TCB at the upcoming AGM elections on October 31. At a media conference hosted yesterday at the President’s Box at the Queen’s Park Oval, Murray described claims by the body as mischievous and irresponsible.When Movement of Change launched its campaign on Wednesday, former executive member of the T&TCB, Baldath Mahabir, called on Murray to explain a number payments which he alleged were made to current members of his Board. Murray described the call as outrageous and disgraceful.

“Their claims are mischievous and wicked. The affairs by this executive are always open and transparent. The audited account is always in the full view of the public domain. The allegations are totally unfounded. They are being manipulated by other members of the executive who have access to privileged information of the board,” said Murray. Murray said that it was another successful year for the T&TCB, with several successful programmes. He said that among the future plans will be the launch of the 2009/2010 Cricket Academy which will take place today at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva, from 2 pm, and an Umpires Certification Programme now taking place throughout the country. Murray said his executive is working assiduously to ensure that every match will be presided by official umpires and also it is an equal opportunity for the umpires to move on from zonal to regional and even international level. He stated that the T&TCB wants to ensure that the sport is played as recreation and pleasure.

Murray told the conference the work of the T&TCB will continue and will administrate cricket which is befitting to the game and to ensure more clubs and players take part. He commended the efforts of the two newly-restructured zone — East and South-West for having a successful season and to welcome the Tobago Cricket Association as a full-fledged zone. Concerning West Indies cricket, Murray said that there must be change from within. “What has to happen, West Indies cricket must change from within, the people in the organisation must recognise that we cannot continue to operate in a structure developed back in the 1920's in the colonial days, the board must evolve and change,” Murray said. He called on the cricketing public to support the T&T cricket team who will be taking part in the up-coming IPL Champions League in India in October.

Naz Yacoob
Trinidad Guardian