[UPDATED] Caricom subcommittee to talk investment in WI cricket

A Caricom subcommittee is to liaise with Cricket West Indies (CWI) in discussions surrounding investments in the sport regionally.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told reporters this on Wednesday during the 45th Caricom heads of government summit at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.

Recently, former CWI and TT Cricket Board (TTCB) director Allen Sammy called on Caricom to step in to aid the “current demise that is (sic) West Indies cricket.”

This was after the team’s embarrassing performance at the One-Day International World Cup Qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe.

On Saturday, the Windies were dismissed for 181 runs off 43.5 overs batting first, to which the Scots responded with a victorious 185/3. The defeat meant West Indies, champions in 1975 and 1979, will not compete in the ODI World Cup for the first time.

Browne told reporters he has always believed there should be no external intervention in West Indies cricket.

He reminded reporters that when Dave Cameron was president of CWI, Antigua and Barbuda did not support attacks against him.

Antigua and Barbuda are part of the Leeward Islands Cricket Board.

Cameron had his critics during his tenure as CWI president from 2013-2019. Several players became disenchanted during Cameron's leadership leading to them not representing West Indies for long periods.

CWI's use of funds under Cameron has also been questioned.

The former leader of CWI did have some success as the West Indies won three World titles in the space of two months in 2016. The West Indies men's Under-19 team won the World Cup 50-over tournament and both the men's and women's senior teams won their respective T20 World Cup tournaments.

The Professional Cricket League was also formed allowing regional players to be contracted and earn a steady income.

"It's not necessarily because we supporting Cameron but we just felt that a change of leadership could have resulted in stability.

Browne said, “What I believe to be necessary is closer collaboration with CWI board and the various countries (that make up) West Indies cricket and for there to be increased investments in cricket, especially at the grassroots level.”

He said it was clear that Caricom countries do not have the type of facilities required to develop the talent found there.

He added, “It’s not just the raw talent or having the technical skills to play cricket, but even the soft skills, in terms of the culture and the psychological orientation with this understanding that when you go out there, you represent the pride of the Caribbean.”

He said this issue cannot be addressed in “a very frivolous way…

“Because when they lose to inferior teams, it hurts the Caribbean pride.”

He reiterated that he believes the solution lies in investment, “perhaps beyond the capacity of CWI.

“We have to create the type of ecosystem at a national level so that we have the necessary sporting facilities and the training for the development of cricket. Also, to get more of our citizens and residents involved in cricket.”

He said many Caribbean people were “migrating" to other sports.

As a result, he said, “Closer collaboration is required between the various countries and CWI. Just today we decided to put together a subcommittee of Caricom to have that engagement."

He said Caricom has consulted with CWI president Dr Kishore Shallow on this, and the collaboration will benefit West Indies cricket.

Asked which countries are part of the subcommittee, Browne said there were many volunteers, including his country, Trinidad and Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In 2015, there was a Caricom prime ministerial committee on the governance of West Indies cricket.

The committee appointed a panel which published its findings in October of that year.

The document says the governance structure, at that time, "was out of alignment with the modern requirements of the game at the national, regional and international levels.

"The production, delivery and ongoing advance of what we call West Indies cricket, has outgrown the governance and administrative systems by which it has been delivered, with some

modifications, since the 1920s. Hence, if West Indies cricket is to realise its true potential as a dynamic and financially lucrative service export sector, capable of restoring the pride of Caribbean people and fostering their greater sense of togetherness, then the difficult decisions to modernise its governance arrangements must be taken without further delay.

"It is now past the time to accept that the current governance structures are obsolete."

This story has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

A Caricom subcommittee is to liaise with Cricket West Indies (CWI) in discussions surrounding investments in the sport regionally.

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told reporters this on Wednesday during the 45th Caricom heads of government summit at the Hyatt Regency, Port of Spain.

Recently, former CWI and TT Cricket Board (TTCB) director Allen Sammy called on Caricom to step in to aid the “current demise that is (sic) West Indies cricket.”

This was after the team’s embarrassing exit from the One-Day International World Cup Qualifiers in Harare, Zimbabwe. It is the first time that West Indies will not feature at the ODI World Cup.

Batting first, the Windies were dismissed for 181 runs off 43.5 overs, to which the Scots responded with a victorious 185/3.

Browne told reporters he has always believed there should be no external intervention in West Indies cricket.

He said, “What I believe to be necessary is closer collaboration with CWI board and the various countries comprising and (territories) comprising West Indies cricket and for there to be increased investments in cricket, especially at the grassroots level.”

He said it was clear that Caricom countries do not have the type of facilities required to develop the talent found there.

He added, “It’s not just the raw talent or having the technical skills to play cricket, but even the soft skills, in terms of the culture and the psychological orientation with this understanding that when you go out there, you represent the pride of the Caribbean.”

He said this issue cannot be addressed in “a very frivolous way…

“Because when they lose to inferior teams, it hurts the Caribbean pride.”

He reiterated that he believes the solution lies in investment, “perhaps beyond the capacity of CWI.

“We have to create the type of ecosystem at a national level so that we have the necessary sporting facilities and the training for the development of cricket. Also, to get more of our citizens and residents involved in cricket.”

He said many Caribbean people were “migrating" to other sports.

As a result, he said, “Closer collaboration is required between the various countries and CWI. Just today we decided to put together a subcommittee of Caricom to have that engagement."

He said Caricom has consulted with CWI on this, and the collaboration will benefit West Indies cricket.

Asked which countries are part of the subcommittee, Browne said there were many volunteers, including his country, Trinidad and Tobago and St Vincent and the Grenadines.