?TRINIDADIANS and Barbadians are set to benefit from a partnership agreement between the Powergen Penal Sports Club and the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation.
Word of this has come from Surujdath Mahabir, head coach of Powergen’s Youth Development Programme and chairman of the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation, Hamilton Lashley during an interview at the Dover Beach Hotel recently.
Mahabir, whose team won the Garfield Sobers Trophy, said that with the two sides having formed a friendship a few years back, a decision was made to solidify their relationship.
“We decided that the time was right for us to explore ways in which we could strengthen our ties and look at ways in which we could work together to improve the holistic development of people in our communities through sports and other ways,” Mahabir said.
He said that Powergen was a very successful club, noting that the capture of this year’s Garfield Sobers International Schools Cricket Tournament trophy was their fifth title so far for the year.
The club also boasts of a number of West Indies players such as Samuel Badree, Dinesh Ramdin and Ravi Rampaul, along with the likes of Sherwin Ganga and Dave and Jason Mohammed.
He was of the view that with the availability of such high calibre players, Barbadians could benefit greatly from stints at the club.
“Although our touring of Barbados will be directed towards the Garfield Sobers and Derrick Sealy competitions, there will be opportunities where young cricketers from Barbados will be able to come and spend some time at Powergen,” he said.
“Every year we would like two Under-23 players from the Hamilton Lashley Human Development Foundation to come to Trinidad, where they will get a chance to play in our competitions and experience our coaching.”
In addition, Mahabir disclosed that they would also be looking at involving coaches from both territories in exchange programmes, where they could benefit from being exposed to different techniques.
Lashley welcomed the partnership, stating that it was a good opportunity for young players from both countries.
He said he hoped that the relationship formed would be an ongoing and everlasting one.
“We see this as a wonderful partnership and initiative because it lends the opportunity for ordinary, grassroots children to be part of a major twinning arrangement,” Lashley said.
“We are using the medium of sports to provide opportunities for our young people and this partnership has the makings to be a tremendous success.”
Next Easter, Northern Academy will travel to Trinidad as hosts of Powergen, as a reward for winning the 2013 Derrick Sealy Under-15 Cricket Competition.
