Latest update March 28th, 2024 12:59 AM
Apr 08, 2016 Sports
West Indies women’s top order batter Britney Cooper pleaded with the public to rally around women’s cricket in tough times during a function to celebrate the success of the West Indies Women’s team at the
Piarco International Airport, Wednesday.
The seven T&T representatives on the West Indies Women’s team which won the Women’s T20 World Cup on Sunday were greeted by Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Darryl Smith, members of the T&T Women’s Cricket Association, members of the T&T Cricket Board and family members.
Stepping into the VIP Lounge to the sound of Dwayne Bravo’s song Champion were players Anisa Mohammed, Cooper, Merissa Aguilleira and Stacy Ann King, and coaching staff Ann Browne-John, Donald La Guerre and Oba Gulston.
Cooper who batted at number three for West Indies took the opportunity to ask the public for support during difficult times. Cooper said, “I want to thank you for the support. I am here to plead with you guys to not only support us when we become champions or when we are winners. We need you when our backs are against the wall.”
Cooper, who scored 61 in the semifinals against New Zealand, said winning a World Cup takes years of preparation. “You all don’t know the struggle women athletes go through. This championship, this medal did not come in a day, it takes years of hard work, dedication. People have to take time off their jobs. So I am pleading support women in sports.”
Aguilliera said sponsorship was crucial. “We need sponsorship to really keep going. We have to think about jobs while still taking part in cricket activities, and more media coverage would really help.”
Jocelyn Opadeyi , president of the T&T Women’s Cricket Association (TTWCA) said the ladies made everyone proud.
Opadeyi praised Browne-John for her dedication over the years. “Ann Browne-John is part of the reason West Indies Women’s cricket has survived. Ann went to a lot of the (Caribbean) territories even as they struggled and gave her technical expertise so that T&T would not be playing against themselves. Ann I salute you today for the work you have put in for West Indies Women’s cricket.”
The TTWCA president also spoke about the importance of sponsors keeping women’s cricket afloat. “Corporate sponsors, I know everyone loves a winner, we are winners now and we need you to help us with the developmental aspect of the game, we need the funds. We will be willing to work with you to partner to ensure that the development of women’s cricket continues for a long time going forward.”
Mohammed and King also thanked the Caribbean for the support. Mohammed stated, “I want to thank the fans. Until the final, it was West Indies against the world and because of the support, we are world champions.” King knows what the victory means to the millions of people living in the Caribbean. “We knew for the people of the Caribbean it meant more to you guys than us.” (The Trinidad Guardian)
THIS IDIOT TELLING GUYANA WE HAVE NO SAY IN THE 50% PROFIT SHARING AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH EXXON.
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