Latest update November 26th, 2024 1:00 AM
WICB outlines new initiatives, projects and commitments
– 47 recommendations implemented from Patterson Report
By Rawle Welch
New initiatives, new projects and a host of commitments were some of the issues that dominated the West Indies Cricket Board’s (WICB) interactive session with the media last Monday, at the Buddy’s International Hotel.
Dr. Julian R. Hunte
The Meeting, which was initiated by the WICB as part of its new dispensation policy that will see the media being accorded the status of an integral stakeholder in West Indies Cricket Development, saw members of the Board update the press on pertinent issues as it relates to the future of cricket in the region and also sought feedback on the way forward for the sport.
President of the WICB Dr. Julian Hunte, who headed the delegation for its first Meeting of the year, told participants during the interactive session that the Board felt it had not treating the media with the kind of respect it ought to have and therefore it was agreed that they take a new stance since it has an important role to play in the future development of the game in the Caribbean.
“First let me apologise for the late timing of this engagement, West Indies cricket has been through another difficult year (2008), it has been through blundering, inefficiency, player travel problems etc and no other phenomenon has had so many solutions proposed for it,” Dr. Hunte told the gathering.
He said that the time has come for the two parties (WICB and Media) to know each other better and to stop walking past each other.
“The media has a role to report to the public and they should be allowed to do so and that is why we are seeking to involve them as active stakeholders in WI cricket.”
Chief Executive Officer Dr. Donald Peters reported that to date some 47 recommendations from the Patterson Report has been included in the Draft Strategic Plan with 4 in the process of being implemented, while 9 are on the table to be discussed.
Five he said could not be applied.
New Initiatives- Among the new initiatives was increasing the four-day Regional Tournament from seven (7) weeks to fourteen (14); all west Indies First-Class cricketers will play at least ten (10) matches a year; the WICB has consented to finance radio broadcast of Regional cricket free to air to fans in the Caribbean; to introduce similar training programmes in all campuses in the Region so that cricketers are being schooled in the same strategies and techniques at the same time.
New Projects-The WICB has started to accredit coaches in the Region so that the curriculum and techniques taught in the by them are consistent across the Caribbean; launching the ECB ‘Chance to Shine’ project this year which will bring cricket to schools; currently working with the ICC to develop the game within the Americas; in possession of a web module to manage, educate and communicate with all our stakeholders and players across the Region; to fully integrate women’s cricket into their existing structure; to implement a Professional League next year; to retain an Elite Umpires panel.
Commitments-The WICB stated that it is committed $4 million from its 2009 budget towards development which will be funded over the next four (4) years; to discover and train over 100,000 school cricketers by 2015 through the ECB’s ‘Chance to Shine’ programme; to establish a Development Company to which sponsors can contribute directly to; to establish a High Performance Centre in Barbados and three Cricket Academies in other countries; to partner with Regional Governments to help develop the game and the resurgence of a regular ‘A’ team.
Cost of some of the New Projects-
Centres of Excellence-US$1.4 million
Development of Players-US$ 0.3 million
Campuses- US$0.3 million
Workshops/Retreats- US$0.2 million
Drug testing and anti-corruption- US$0.2 million
WI Women’s Cricket- US$0.2 million
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