Sixty of Trinidad and Tobago’s most promising young cricketers took another decisive step toward elite performance as the third edition of the bmobile Nicky P. Batting Academy concluded at the Kumar Rampat Cricket Academy in Point Lisas.

The two-day developmental camp, led by West Indies batsman Nicholas Pooran alongside renowned coaching duo Kumar and Vasu Rampat, delivered elite batting instruction while reinforcing bmobile’s ongoing commitment to structured youth development through sport.

Male and female athletes aged 13 to 17, representing communities as far as Tobago, Cedros, Manzanilla and Laventille, received high-performance technical guidance aimed at strengthening execution, discipline, and game awareness at the crease. This year also marked a milestone for the programme with the inclusion of eight female participants, reflecting growing interest and opportunity for girls in competitive cricket.

Launched in 2023, the Nicky P. Batting Academy is the brainchild of Pooran and has steadily expanded in scale and impact, growing from 50 participants in its inaugural year to 60 athletes in 2025.

As with previous editions, 10 to 15 standout performers will be selected for the exclusive six-month bmobile/Nicky P. scholarship programme, commencing in January 2026. The scholarship provides approximately 256 hours of high-performance training, five days a week, combining fitness, technical development, and mental conditioning.

“What distinguishes Nicholas’ work is consistency. This programme is not a one-off gesture, but a deliberate, sustained investment in skills transfer, discipline and high-performance thinking,” said Anjanie Ramesar-Soom, Corporate Environmental and Social Responsibility Specialist at bmobile. “By creating structured access to elite coaching and mentorship, he is equipping young cricketers with the tools required to progress beyond talent alone. bmobile is proud to support an initiative that is building a pipeline for long-term national and regional success.”

Reflecting on the evolution of the academy, Pooran said the programme was driven by a desire to empower young players with opportunity and exposure.

“It’s all about empowering the next generation of cricketers. I’m really happy that bmobile is on board for the programme. They have embraced this journey of mine and supported it, and I’m happy that I’ve partnered with them,” he said.

The programme attracted several notable figures, including Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister and Minister of Public Utilities, Barry Padarath, T20 specialist Kieron Pollard, and Dwayne ‘DJ’ Bravo.

Describing the initiative as a strong example of purposeful partnership, Bravo congratulated both Pooran and bmobile for their sustained efforts, noting that programmes such as the academy play a critical role in identifying and shaping the next generation of cricketing talent.

Before the closing ceremony, participants took part in a Power Hitting Challenge, with Declan Manswell emerging victorious. Angel Bishop and Levi Burke were named Best Teammate (female and male respectively), Savad Koon Koon was recognised as Most Enthusiastic, and Jannah Mohammed earned the title of Most Disciplined.

Among the standout newcomers was 17-year-old Brianna Harricharan of Hillview College and Caldrac Achievers Women’s Cricket Club, who described the experience as both technically enriching and personally inspiring.

“Interacting with a legend like Nicky P was truly motivating. I was able to sharpen my defence, work on my drives and build confidence in my power hitting,” she said, adding that the classroom sessions helped her better understand both the game and the mindset required to compete at a higher level.

As part of the closing ceremony, selected players received authentic Nicholas Pooran team jerseys from international franchises he has represented, along with gifts from sponsors including bmobile, Powerade and UTC.

As the bmobile Nicky P. Batting Academy continues to evolve, the 2025 edition closed with a renewed sense of ambition and purpose. For the young athletes, it marked another step forward in their development; for the organisers, a reaffirmation of their commitment to sustaining youth investment.

With bmobile and Nicholas Pooran at the helm, the next generation of cricketers is not only learning to hit bigger shots, but to approach the game with discipline, mentorship, and a clear pathway to national, regional, and global opportunity.