Dinanath Ramnarine, president of the West Indies Players' Association. - File

THE WEST Indies Players' Association (WIPA) has organised scholarships for 25 young cricketers in the region to attend the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UT&T).

Speaking at WIPA's third annual event to say thank-you to its many sponsors, president Dinanath Ramnarine told the gathering in the Clico Box at the Queen's Park Oval on December 6 that the UT&T had offered the scholarships and he thanked the university for its offer.

According to Ramnarine, the offer will afford the young cricketers the opportunity to combine education and sport and will enhance the all-round develop-ment of the young players.

Personal development

"Many of them may never go on to represent the West Indies," said Ramnarine. "What is important, however, what is most important is that their personal development will be assured, and hopefully, they will be better prepared to face the many challenges of this world with confidence."

In a speech during which he thank the association's benefactors for their contribution during 2007, Ramnarine described them as being individuals and companies who had been exceptionally kind and had demonstrated commitment, passion, generosity of spirit and a belief in a cause second to none.

With the help of its sponsors, WIPA has been looking at a plan to assist in the development of the game and in announcing that it had completed its strategic plan for the period 2008 to 2010, Ramnarine said that one of the key initiatives was to get more involved in the development of the game and the players in the communities.

"This we regard as our social obligation," said Ramnarine, "and we must play our part to the full, not only in promoting cricket, but in educating the youth about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, and aids and ensuring they pay full attention to proper lifestyle and to studies."