ST JOHN’S, Antigua CMC – West Indies Cricket Board chief executive Ernest Hilaire says he supports recent calls for the deepening of the Board’s partnership with CARICOM. Hilaire was speaking against the backdrop of comments by Trinidad and Tobago Sports Minister Anil Roberts, who said Caribbean Prime Ministers needed to intervene in the affairs of West Indies cricket in order to halt its continued downward slide.
However, Hilaire said it was “unthinkable” that the WICB alone could shoulder the responsibility of turning around regional cricket.
“It is unthinkable that WICB alone can put in place a sustainable and successful programme and West Indies cricket can reach the pinnacle of world cricket without the involvement of regional governments,” Hilaire pointed out.
“In an age of the reliance on technology, improved training and playing facilities and advanced sports science practices, all other cricketing nations receive extensive support from their respective governments.”
Hilaire said he hoped CARICOM would partner with the WICB in implementing the comprehensive programmes in the pipeline for the development of West Indies cricket.
He said help from governments was important at the level of schools, clubs and national associations, especially in acquiring equipment, sponsorship and helping in the improvement of local facilities.
“It is sad that at a time when there is a need to show greater involvement, there has actually been the withdrawing of traditional support given to cricket. And at the same time everyone expects to see improvements in the game at the local, regional and international levels,” Hilaire lamented.
Speaking following the loss to India in the opening One-Day International on Monday, Roberts said regional PMs needed “to organise a weekend retreat or a weekend summit to discuss the way forward for West Indies cricket”.
“They need to use a big stick, and they need to say that we must change. Without that we are going nowhere and we are just going to keep blaming each other. We keep going around in circles,” Roberts contended.
The Minister also criticised the re-election of WICB president Julian Hunte, noting that he retained the position despite West Indies’ poor showing at this year’s World Cup.
Hilaire said, however, he disagreed with the constant changing of personnel, noting that it had proved to be a failed strategy, while pointing out that during the nine-year period from 2000 to 2009, there had been five presidents, six CEO appointments, eight selectors and seven West Indies captains.
Hilaire said what was required instead of knee-jerk reactions were “stability and commitment to a pathway which can be assessed after a pre-determined period”.