In a significant boost for Caribbean cricket development, Bess Motors Ltd has pledged a substantial $175,000 sponsorship to Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board’s (TTCB) Under-15 Youth Development Interzone Tournament. The partnership was formally established on January 21 when managing director Krystal Maharaj presented the sponsorship cheque to TTCB president Azim Bassarath at the National Cricket Centre in Couva.
The upcoming tournament, scheduled to commence on January 28, will showcase emerging talent from eight zonal teams across Trinidad and Tobago: North, North East, Central, South, South West, South East, East, and Tobago. These teams will compete in two groups, with the event serving as a crucial talent identification platform ahead of Cricket West Indies’ Rising Stars Under-15 championship later this year.
TTCB general secretary Henry Chase emphasized the tournament’s comprehensive reach, noting that it guarantees young athletes from every region of Trinidad and Tobago equal opportunity for recognition and development. “This interzone competition acts as a primary evaluation mechanism for national team selection,” Chase stated, “providing a clear pathway for players to advance to regional representation, including the prestigious West Indies Under-15 tournament.”
Bassarath hailed the corporate partnership as a transformative moment for youth cricket development, praising Bess Motors for their strategic investment at this critical developmental stage. The TTCB president highlighted the tournament’s historical significance as a launching pad for numerous Trinidadian cricket legends, including former West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin, T20 phenomenon Nicholas Pooran, and current Red Force head coach Rayad Emrit.
Beyond competitive matches, the 2026 tournament features comprehensive off-field development initiatives including specialized coaching education and umpire training programs. The event is specifically designed to foster character development, instill discipline, enhance communication skills, and promote personal growth among participants from all seven TTCB zonal councils, including Tobago.
The sponsorship represents a long-term commitment to structured youth development, with Chase describing the initiative as “a deliberate investment in the future of Trinidad and Tobago cricket.” The partnership was facilitated through the efforts of Adrian Ali, captain of Marchin Sports Club and Chaguanas Borough Corporation councillor, who helped bridge the collaboration between TTCB and Bess Motors Ltd.