PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Two executive members of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) have spoken out in support of the decision to change the name of the Trinidad and Tobago Red Steel for the Limacol Caribbean Premier League (CPL) which began in Grenada at the weekend.

The words Trinidad and Tobago have been dropped. Instead, the franchise will now be known as the Red Steel.

CEO Suruj Ragoonath and executive member Baldath Mahabir both agreed with the decision, which was made by the CPL after a request from Sports Minister Anil Roberts, as well as the TTCB.

"Trinidad and Tobago is a sovereign country and the franchise is not owned by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, but it is owned by a private entity, so it is more appropriate given the fact that it is not really representing Trinidad and Tobago, but the franchise holder, that Trinidad and Tobago should not be on their name," stated Ragoonath.

"Maybe if it was the Port-of-Spain Red Steel, that might be more appropriate.

I think it is a good idea that it is not named after the country and I think this should obtain throughout the region and not only in Trinidad and Tobago."

Meantime, Mahabir has suggested that the franchises be named after the cities where they are based.

"In reality, it is a franchise team and not a Trinidad and Tobago team. One might want to look at naming it after something Trinidadian or Tobagonian, some kind of derivative of the name or rather the city in which the franchise is based, like the Indian Premier League," said Mahabir.