Cricket superstar Nicholas Pooran is investing in the future of West Indies cricket through his burgeoning developmental academy. The third installment of the bmobile Nicky P Batting Academy concluded successfully at Kumar Rampat Cricket Academy in Point Lisas, attracting 60 promising young athletes from across Trinidad and Tobago.
The initiative, launched in 2023 with 50 participants, has demonstrated consistent growth and expanded its reach to include young female cricketers for the first time. Eight girls joined this year’s program, including emerging talent Brianna Harricharan from the Windies Under-19 women’s team. The 17-year-old described the experience as transformative, noting that ‘interacting with a legend like Nicky P was truly motivating’ for refining her technical skills and competitive mindset.
Under Pooran’s leadership and the coaching expertise of Kumar and Vasu Rampat, the two-day intensive camp provided elite batting instruction while emphasizing mental conditioning and technical development. The program’s most exceptional performers—approximately 10-15 participants—will advance to an exclusive six-month scholarship program offering approximately 256 hours of high-performance training.
The academy attracted additional cricket royalty, with T20 icons Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard making appearances alongside government official Barry Padarath. Bravo praised the initiative’s role in identifying and nurturing future talent, emphasizing its importance for Caribbean cricket development.
Participants demonstrated their skills in various challenges, with Declan Manswell claiming victory in the power-hitting competition. Other recognitions included Angel Bishop and Levi Burke as Best Teammates, Savad Koon Koon as Most Enthusiastic, and Jannah Mohammed as Most Disciplined.
Anjanie Ramesar-Soom, bmobile’s corporate social responsibility specialist, highlighted Pooran’s consistent commitment as the program’s distinguishing factor. ‘By creating structured access to elite coaching and mentorship,’ she noted, ‘Pooran is equipping young cricketers with the tools required to progress beyond talent alone.’
The camp concluded with selected participants receiving authentic Pooran jerseys from international franchises and gifts from sponsors including bmobile, Powerade, and the Unit Trust Corporation.