Former government minister Manohar Ramsaran on Monday took up office as the Administrative Manager of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board which has its headquarters at Balmain in Couva.
Ramsaran, whose tenure under the United National Congress Administration of 1996-2001, earned him the plaudits of “the best sports minister ever,” said on Monday he hopes to bring new energy and passion to his job.
“Ï have a passion for sports and cricket to me is second nature. It is a pleasure to be asked to serve the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and I want to thank board president Azim Bassarath and his executive for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the development of the game,” said Ramsaran.
The former Customs and Excise official, who also played the game at the top club level and served as an administrator of Monroe Road Cricket Club, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. According to Ramsaran, it would not be business as usual as he intends to meet with the staff of the T&TCB and the National Cricket Centre to see how best the human resources could be optimised for the best results.
“Ï am here to carry out the wishes of the T&TCB and I would also be hoping to put some of my ideas into action. I have already spoken to several top persons who have an interest in cricket and will be counting on their support on the way forward,” said Ramsaran.
First item on Ramsaran’s agenda is a plan to maximise the efficiency of the staff of the T&TCB and to make the office a beehive of activity which will demonstrate the passion he has for the game.
Ramsaran also intends to take a close look at the facilities at the National Cricket Centre with a view to making the necessary improvements and to help create the best environment to nurture championship teams.
“Öur ambition in the 2011 season is to win three titles. This is very much a possibility with the kind of change that I hope to bring,” said Ramsaran.
The new Administrative Manager is optimistic the national team under skipper Daren Ganga will do well in the upcoming Caribbean T20 Championship which gets underway on January 9 in Antigua/Barbuda.
Ramsaran remains confident that the cricketers will get the required support of the T&TCB to boost them psychologically to break the drought of last season when T&T failed to add to the silverware in the trophy cabinet.
