Warner demands leave for Ganga to play in India

Chagunas West MP Jack Warner has appealed to the state-owned Petrotrin to grant cricketer Darren Ganga leave to the prestigious 20/20 Champions League in India.

And he has called on the Sports Minister to make it happen.

Warner was responding to media reports that Trinidad and Tobago's historic participation in the event may therefore be hampered by the absence of the region’s most successful captain.

Ganga is a world recognized batsman and the Trinidad and Tobago cricket captain.

"If the reports in the press are in fact true, it represents a slap in the face of sport. It is an unprecedented stroke of unpatriotic behaviour that may border on victimization," Warner said in a media release.

"Petrotrin’s alleged denial of Darren Ganga’s right to ‘leave with pay’ to represent his country also runs contrary to our sports policy of allowing our sportsmen time in the international arena," he pointed out, calling it "an act of disrespect to our sportsmen who spend long hours training on and off the field to do their country proud."

Warner said there is also something that is morally and ethically wrong with this as it sends the wrong message to the youth of the nation who may want to emulate young Ganga.

"Darren Ganga has been an ambassador for Trinidad and Tobago and has flown the flag of sweet T&T with pride. He has won all regional titles as our Cricket captain and must not be treated with such disdain and indignity," the MP said.

"Petrotrin would be committing a serious disservice to the cricketing community. In my capacity as MP for Chaguanas West, I do call upon Petrotrin’s management to rectify this obvious act of disservice and to remedy what may have the potential of damaging the aspirations of our sporting heroes.

"I also call on the Minister of Sport to intervene in the interest of cricket. The Minister too, must ensure that the team is well outfitted to represent us in this celebrated tournament in India.

"Let us do the right thing for our country, our youth and for cricket. Let us ensure that Darren Ganga goes to India", Warner said.