SPORTS
Stefan Nikola
The teams for the second annual Secretary Bago T10 Blast have been finalized and action games will take place from April 8-16 at the Cyd Gray Sports Complex in Roxborough. The draft for the contest was held Tuesday at the John Dial Community Center.
Before the draw, each team was allowed to retain five players from the inaugural competition.
Defending champions Rainforest Rangers had previously retained their captain and former international player Navin Stewart. However, Stewart will no longer participate in this race. Asked by Newsday about his absence, Stewart said he was too busy to speak at this time.
Four club franchises named after popular tourist destinations in Tobago will compete for the top prize of $20,000. The losing finalists will receive a $10,000 check.
At the launch, Tobago Cricket Association Kerwin John praised Chief Secretary Farley Augustine for making the event possible.
During his speech, Augustine thanked his predecessor Ancil Dennis for starting the initiative.
“I really hope that every chief secretary who follows me will continue that. Some things are beyond politics – and sport is one of them. Sport allows communities to heal; sport is one of those areas where we can get rid of the red , green and black colors of politics…
“This competition is important for the Tobago space because it allows our youth to showcase our talent.”
Augustini hopes the competition will act as a platform for more Tobagonians to be selected for the national and West Indies teams.
He said the competition allows young people to put aside the “frustration” of Covid19 and “get some exercise”.
During the draw, the franchises were allowed to select an additional nine players from a pot of available players – four from St Vincent and the Grenadines, eight from Trinidad and 24 from Tobago.
Surprisingly, Buccoo Reef Divers, picking first, snapped up UK-based Tobagonian Irak Thomas, an all-rounder known for his powerful batting who currently plies his trade with Caverswall Cricket Club.
Tobago Small Islands: Dejourn Charles (captain), Leron Lezama, Akel Quashie, Renaldo Lezama, Adrian Alexander, Orlando James, Joshua Yorke, Alden Daniel, Omarley James, Dario Melville, Ajani Toney, Mark Deyal, Terrence Hinds. Trained by Gilbert Lezama.
Fort King George Gunner: Kieshawn Dillon (captain), Antonio Providence, Shaquille Duncan, Joshua James, Jason Persaud, Simmons Peters, Joel Kirk, Freedom Mc Kenna, Xavier Reid, Anroy Des Vignes, Kerry Cordner, Christopher Vincent, Kharry Pierre. Trained by Brian Brown.
Rainforest Rangers: Ancil Nedd (captain), Addison Daniel, Kevon Samuel, Brandon Mark Brown, Josh Telemaque, Anthony Alexander, Ashaughn Pierre, Christian Adams, Kiel Ross, Andu Davis, Michael Ramdass, Tion Webster, Jason Mohammed. Trained by Neil Skeete.
Buccoo Reef Divers: Jahron Alfred (Captain), Arnell Jones, Ako George, Duane Murray, Anthony Providence, Irak Thomas, Ezkiel Joefield. Marcus St Cyr, Khislon Dillon, Kwesi Williams, Leon Davidson, Imran Khan and Jyd Goolie. Trained by John Pollard.
