The plan by Rickey Skerritt, President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), to involve regional governments in the grassroots development of cricket has received approval from a CWI affiliate.
Skerritt, on the occasion to acknowledge his first year at the helm of managing the board’s affairs, indicated that he had already set a plan in motion to enlist the support of sports ministries across the region.
“I’ve written to every Minister of Sports across the region and I have proposed a deal with them where we no longer charge them big money to get cricket which used to be before my time.
“I’ve said to them don’t buy cricket from us anymore. We are going to spread cricket all around the West Indies. But what I want you to do is spend more money for grass-root initiatives,” Skerritt said.
Stabroek Sports, following the president’s announcement, sought expert advice from a current CWI partner, who has acted in several capacities to scrutinize Skerritt’s vision.
The individual, who spoke to this reporter under the condition of anonymity, lauded the plan but urged that it would need strategic implementation.
“It’s certainly needed because we don’t have any structured approach, well I can only talk for Guyana and it’s pretty haphazard. But it’s obviously needed and hopefully, there is some structure to it where they align clubs and schools,” the individual noted.
Acknowledging that governments may indeed have the financial resources to invest in the plan, the individual cautioned that CWI must provide solid technical support to see practical results.
“I think governments will need a lot of support. Yes, they may or may not have the money to pump into this thing but I don’t know if they have the qualified personal to layout and carry out that plan… When I watch around this place and see the people who say they are coaches, I wouldn’t even put my dog in their hands.”
Though the plan is still in its infant stage, there is a desperate need for CWI to refocus its efforts to instill sound technical skillsets at the tender age. The individual pointed to the dilemma where too many players are going forward with kinks in their game.
“Too many persons are going forward with the incorrect fundamentals, that’s the whole gist of why we are not producing elite athletes, especially at the longer version of the game. And you can’t do remedial work on tour because when players graduate, it’s just hard to do remedial work.’
“When players are around 15, their game should be really ironed out. He or she will obviously gain strength but they must understand the fundamentals. Because how can you apply what you don’t know?”
The CWI associate contended that the plan should also incorporate aspects of a solid regional schools’ tournament, a method of linking clubs and schools to
foster development and even an intervention from CARICOM to guarantee some measure of success
