PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) has received a cheque valued at $250,000 from the government, as well as accolades for its management of the sport in the twin island republic.

Newly appointed sports minister, Brent Sancho, has praised the TTCB saying the cricketing governing body has "exemplified good governance" and is being rewarded.

"We had a long discussion, and I think it is the first time Mr Bassarath has left the ministry smiling," Sancho told the media, following a press conference at the Ministry of Tourism.

"We have had a lot of acrimony in the past, but I said to him that we cannot right the wrongs of the past, but we will work in partnership moving forward."

President Azim Bassarath has complained that TTCB has received no financial assistance since 2011, and that it was owed funds which have severely hampered the organisation's ability to administer its programmes.

good governace

"We presented a cheque to Mr Bassarath for $250,000, because I believe that the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board has exemplified good governance in sports, in terms of what is required to get funding for various programmes," said Sancho.

"They have met the requirements that we need in the Ministry of Sports and we want to reward and show the other sporting bodies what good looks like."

partnership agreement

Sancho, a former national footballer who became the new sports minister following last week's cabinet shake-up, says government and the TTCB have agreed to partner on a number of initiatives.