BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC-Barbados’ Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, has suggested that the Caribbean host an annual International Cricket Camp.
The Barbados sports minister stressed the benefits of such a camp during a courtesy call on new Chief Executive Officer of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Michael Muirhead, and President, Julian Hunte. Lashley told the WICB officials that bringing young cricketers from across the world to the Caribbean to engage in a training programme would strengthen sports tourism.
“All of the [Sports] Ministers across the region are focusing on sports tourism because it actually grows foreign exchange for us, but at the same time you get the dual benefit of having that cross fertilisation of talent” Lashley explained.
“The International Cricket Camp makes economic sense, not only in terms of tourism, but we are looking at the growth of cricket as a mass spectator sport”.
Mr. Lashley noted that cricket was among matters discussed at the recent CARICOM Sports Ministers meeting in Guyana, and that it was seen as a flag bearer for regional sporting activities.
“I think it could help to spur on other sports to go in that direction,” he stated.
