Cricket board: Sports and Culture Fund a lifeline

TT Cricket Board's operations manager Dudnath Ramkessoon.
TT Cricket Board's operations manager Dudnath Ramkessoon.

THE Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has hailed the Government’s Sports and Culture Fund as a lifeline for national sporting organisations (NSOs).

In a statement issued by the fraternity’s operations manager Dudnath Ramkessoon, on Sunday, he highlighted the significant role the fund plays towards assisting the growth and development of the game locally.

He said numerous NSOs, groups and individuals who fulfil the stringent criteria to qualify for the financial help, owe a debt of gratitude for this crucial aid.

According to Ramkessoon, the Sports and Culture Fund also provides support, without which, it would be hard-pressed to execute the board’s plans and programmes.

“We are fortunate that this facility exists in the Office of the Prime Minister and overseen by very qualified individuals who do a remarkable job in realising its objectives,” said the former national cricketer.

He said the fund cultivates and develops human and technical capabilities in sport and culture while encouraging self-reliance in a meaningful way.

Additionally, Ramkessoon said the work of the Sport and Culture board of management benefits communities, and the nation as a whole, and promotes one of the mandates of the TTCB to boost nationwide youth development.

He also pointed to the exacting requirements for those seeking to access assistance from the fund which is geared towards transparency and accountability.

He said like the TTCB, any NGO, group, or individual can apply for funding.

The Sports and Culture Fund covers the provision or upgrading of sporting and cultural facilities and competitions, productions and exhibitions, festivals, physical training and coaching, meetings, workshops, seminars and conferences.

It also caters for research, publications and advanced studies in the field of sport and culture.

According to the Act, the duties and functions of the Board shall be, “to determine the eligibility of individuals and organisations engaged in activities related to Sport and Culture for financial assistance from the Fund

“To determine the feasibility of undertaking projects and enterprises; to process and determine applications for loans or grants and to advise the Minister (Rowley) on the withholding or further disbursement of grants or loans to individuals or organisations engaged in activities related to sport and culture”

Ramkessoon said that the fund has taken on added relevance as sports and cultural activities have suffered from the restrictions of the pandemic and will be looked upon to play a leading role in the return to normalcy in the coming months.

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