Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Ernest Hilaire has thrown out a challenge to the countries participating in this year’s WICB regional tournament which is to restore the pride of cricket to the Caribbean when the event bowls off today with four matches at four venues.
The recently appointed CEO was speaking at a reception hosted by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) at the Umana Yana which was attended by all eight teams involved except Trinidad and Tobago who were scheduled to arrive in the country late last night.
“I want you guys to go out there and play hard, ” said Hilaire adding….“you know, the organizers of the last tournament that Trinidad played in, they didn’t want to invite any team from the Caribbean because they thought we weren’t good enough. But I think Trinidad went there and did a wonder job, so hats off to them, so now we have a challenge ahead of us,” Hilaire stated.
Hilaire believes that with all the turmoil in Caribbean cricket over the past few months, the players should be ready to breathe a new breath of air into the game locally and demonstrate that the talent is still here in the region.
“I think that the players now have an opportunity to show to the world that the Caribbean has the talent. I have confidence that you guys will go out there and do that as well. So we have a challenge ahead of us in this tournament. Everyone must put their best foot forward,” Hilaire said.
The WICB had recently announced that this tournament would be used to help select players for the upcoming tour to Australia and as such Hilaire is of the opinion that players should use this opportunity to also show the selectors that they have what it takes to wear the maroon colours Down Under.
“We are in a rebuilding stage at this moment so everyone must play their part in the construction. Also, as you know, the selectors will be watching so you have to apart from making sure that your country and team comes out on top, to play your best cricket to show that you are worthy of selection,” the St Lucian Hilaire noted.
For the first time in the history of the regional tournament, four matches will be played simultaneously at four venues (Enmore, Everest, GCC Bourda and the Providence Stadium) and this Hilaire pointed out was not an easy task. He made reference to the uphill struggle facing the WICB in organizing next year’s ICC 20/20 World Cup which will be held in the Caribbean for the first time.
“I want to express my appreciation to the GCB on behalf of the WICB because I know playing at four venues the same day in the same country is not an easy task and also it’s not always easy to put on a target. Look, we are having a nightmare in putting how we’ll move 12 countries across the Caribbean for the 20/20 World Cup next year, so I’m glad they (GCB) has put proper systems in place,” Hilaire pointed out.
The WICB CEO comments came on the backdrop of similar sentiments expressed by Julian Hunte in his message to the players.
Hunte, the WICB president said that over the years there have been some outstanding performances in the West Indies One-Day Tournament. The WICB, he said, expected more brilliant efforts from the players in this year’s edition.
“Cricket is a game of courtesy and fair play and we urge everyone to play in the true spirit of the game. Of course someone has to win and someone has to lose, but at the end, everyone has a role to play as an ambassador for this great game. A major plus is the fact that we have an excellent group of officials from across the region who will be taking charge of the matches, so everyone will be in good hands,” said Hunte.
Meanwhile, also present at the event was GCB boss Chetram Singh and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.
“You guys certainly have your work cut out for you, believe me. As you know, on Saturday the selectors will name the squad which will tour Australia later on in the year and I know that you will want to be part of that team, so I urge you go out there and play hard cricket,” said Singh.
Minister Anthony on behalf of the Government and People of Guyana welcomed the cricketers to country.
“There is a saying here that if you want rain bring cricket. But though Guyana is known as the Land of Many Waters, now I want to welcome you to the land of hot, unrelenting sunshine for the 2009 WICB President’s One Day tournament.”
