The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are set to host a pivotal Regional Conference on West Indies Cricket. Scheduled for 25 -26 April 2024, the event will take place at the Hyatt Regency in Trinidad and Tobago.
Themed “Reinvigorating West Indies Cricket – A Symposium for Strategic Collaboration and Innovation,” the conference aims to foster a collaborative environment to secure the commitment of CARICOM Governments, Cricket West Indies (CWI) and territorial boards to strategically advance the sport in all its formats: Tests, One Day Internationals and T20s. The conference will be chaired by Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Chairman of the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket.
This intervention stems from the 46th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM, where it was agreed that Trinidad and Tobago would host the event, which will explore the business trajectory of the sport and emphasise collaborative efforts toward cricket development and promotion. The Conference will include all relevant agencies, organisations, cricketing legends, former and current players, clubs, coaches and administrators.
Key topics to be discussed during the two-day conference include the:
- Strategic Direction of West Indies Cricket
- Development of Cricket
- Finance and Commercial Considerations
- Fan Engagement
- Cricket and Tourism.
Interested individuals are invited to participate in this event by logging on to CARICOM’s social media platforms: @caricomorg.
My two cents recommendation to the “think tank panel” is as follows:
1. Stop the outsourcing of the large number of Bajan players to the other regional teams during tournament play. The West Indies Academy roster is already loaded with Bajans.
2. Formulate a succession plan to sunset and succeed the current boring and lethargic corps of regional cricket commentators.
3. Invest in replay / review technology to be utilized across all regional competitions in order to stamp out the growing pandemic of atrocious umpire calls that is adversely affecting the integrity and outcome of games as well as players’ careers.
Come on! All these CARICOM Heads are spectacular failures. Just look at the horrible state of affairs of their countries. Runaway crimes, bad roads, mold infested public buildings, inadequate health services, unprecedented high unemployment, massive debts, ubiquitous corruption, anemic salaries and wages for public servants, and the list of declining and dubious returns can go on ad infinitum.
They have had similar conferences in the past. All came to nought. The present crop of ‘leaders’ in the storied history of the CARICOM, are just extraordinary failures. This is
just another grandiose occasion for them to imbibe expensive wine, engage in fine dining, sleep in luxurious five (5) star hotels and grow their per diem.
And how is that going to translate to getting players to playing like their international counterparts instead of embarrassing us when they tour?
If after 30 years they have not figured it out, what makes them think they will get it right, when young cricketers are only looking for their opportunity to play in the IPL?
If you ask me, they are going to do what we do best – talk.