SPORTS
Newsday reporter
The Tobago Cricket Association (TCA) has been forced to recruit young players from Trinidad to take part in the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) under-15 and under-19 inter-zonal competitions set to be played in March.
TCA president Kerwin John said the Sports Ministry’s demand that only vaccinated players be allowed to compete in domestic leagues has effectively crippled local clubs.
“Due to the low vaccination rate, we have to recruit players from Trinidad to create a full complement of young players for the teams,” said John.
“For example, we only have eight players in the under-19 team, but the TTCB president has given permission for areas that are short to take players from other areas.”
John said Tobago cricket clubs will not be able to field teams for domestic T20 or 40 over competitions.
The TCA chief urged the cricket fraternity to follow the lead of his executive, who are all vaccinated.
“We have to follow government guidelines. I am disappointed at the low vaccination rate among cricketers in Tobago and the fact that they are willing to risk their careers.
“It is very likely that there will be no club cricket this year, but as an association we have a responsibility to provide a pathway for vaccinated players to play cricket.”
He added, “We may have to consider a zonal competition (Tobago), where we hope there will be enough players vaccinated to include a northern, western, eastern and central zonal competition.”
John said TCA has been forced to push back the start of its indoor season from February to April.
He said the vaccination policy has also posed a challenge among cricket officials.
“We are currently in negotiations with the Cricket Umpires Association to ensure enough officials are vaccinated throughout the season.”
