Health minister rejects Trinidad and Tobago cricket board's request

The health minister was reacting to a recent letter sent to him by TTCB president Azim Bassarath which requested the National League and Zonal competitions' potential resumption on April 10.

Deyalsingh answered on March 10, and for the second time, rejected the TTCB’s request by quoting that the Public Health Regulations (No. 5) 2021.

It states, “During the period specified in regulation 17, a person shall not, also not without clear justification (a) be found at any public place where the number of persons gathered, at any time, exceeds ten; (b) participate in any group may contact sports; or (c) engage in any team sports, except seeking the approval of the Minister (of health).”

On February 20, though, the Minister of Sport and Community Development Shamfa Cudjoe stated that outdoor sporting activity would resume after 11 months of dormancy. These must cater to 22 people or less.

She also said that national leagues would remain inactive after they were shut down in mid-March 2020 owing to the pandemic.

Ramkessoon confirmed Deyalsingh’s answers by saying, “Given the above, as indicated by the honorable Minister, the board’s competitions remain on hold until further notice.

On December 10, the TTCB director wrote the health minister seeking Government approval for the top men’s cricketers to return to action. In early January, Deyalsingh approved the TTCB’s request “was received and not approved.”

Two days later, Government approval was given to national athletes gearing up for major competitions such as the Olympic Games. They were allowed to resume training at public sporting facilities but were mandated to adhere to all covid19 guidelines.

Cricketers seeking election to the TT Red Force 50 over and regional four-day teams were also allowed to return to training ahead of a packed regional calendar.

But with the successful presentation of the Caribbean Premier League T20 competition, in a bio-secure bubble, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (Tarouba) and Queen’s Park Oval (Port of Spain) last year, TTCB officials were expecting a possible resumption of the domestic season under similar health guidelines.

Additionally, the West Indies (WI) traveled to England and New Zealand in late 2020 and early 2021 to compete in international tours. Cricket West Indies was also able to happily host this year’s CG Insurance Super50 Cup at one location – Coolidge Cricket Grounds in Antigua – without any major hiccups.

Fenwick, like Bassarath, believes the replaced stagnation of rival domestic sport is stifling its growth and pushing athletes away from sporting activities.