Ali urges Harvard youngsters to reach for greatness

FORMER West Indies youth captain Zaheer Ali encouraged youngsters at the closing of the Harvard Club Coaching Clinic to strive for greatness telling them they are the future of West Indies cricket.

Ali, who is an attorney, is a former Harvard player.

In attendance at the closing on Sunday were cricketers ranging from five to 16 years old, their parents, coaches, and club administrators namely former TT Olympic Committee president and president of the Harvard Club Brian Lewis, cricket analyst and Harvard coach Lester Cassimy and club administrator Mark Mason among many other distinguished members.

During his address, Ali recognised and commended the Harvard Club for their continued contribution to youth and community/national development through sport and lamented the importance of sport in his professional and personal development.

Ali recognised his parents and particularly his father who he dubbed as his principal coach for giving him the opportunity and support and recognised several of his coaches and administrators at the Harvard Clinic.

Ali emphasized to the cricketers that the resurgence of West Indies and TT cricket resides heavily with them and stressed that the training and guidance that they have obtained from their coaches over the past couple of months creates a good foundation to build on in pursuit of the task and their personal goals. He urged the young sportsmen to exhibit good sportsmanship throughout their career which is also the mantra of the Harvard Club.

The graduates were also reminded that sports could provide opportunities for educational development, employment, and travel and they themselves are role models and an inspiration for their peers and others in their respective communities and schools. Ali also shared many of his personal experiences as a student at the Harvard Clinic including having the opportunity to meet and interact with West Indies batting legend Brian Lara during a visit to the Harvard Club and in quick succession had the opportunity to play alongside Lara at the national/ first-class level.

Ali, who is also one of the legal officers in the TT Police Service and co-host on Beyond the Tape ‘Legally Speaking’ on Tv6 advised the young sportsmen to choose their company wisely as many talented sportsmen over the years would have met their unfortunate demise through their involvement in crime and criminality.

HONOUR ROLL

Net Four (5-7yrs)Most Disciplined - Ibraheem AliMost Improved - Ehron JohnBest Bowler - Jevon BootmanBest Batsman - Jahlani Simpson

Net Three - (8-10 yrs)Most Disciplined- Zahid BisnathMost Improved - Javeed AliBest Bowler - Ezekiel RomainBest Batsman - Joshua Ramdhanie

Net One/ Net Two (11-18 yrs)Most Disciplined- Niyan MahabirMost Improved- Jovani BootmanBest Bowler - Dominic RedheadBest Batsman- Darion Bridgelal