MY INVOLVEMENT in the administration of cricket at the local and regional level dates back to 2000.
As many of us have witnessed the decline of our West Indies team on the field of play, many experts have proposed the solutions that should be established to return to our glory days.
Are the players more interested in the financial benefits to be derived from the game? Is the administration of our cricket in the Caribbean to blame for our decline and apparent stagnation?
I suggest that there is no quick fix to the challenges we face, but today I submit a brief overview on the administration of our game in Barbados.
The sole governing body for cricket in Barbados, the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), was established many decades ago and has the responsibility (among other things) of providing direction for the welfare of cricket on this island.
The task at hand is both challenging and complex, but I suggest that the general approach of these elected men and women in the decision-making positions must be examined.
I am of the firm belief that many people – both inside and outside the meeting rooms – have Barbados and West Indies cricket at heart.
I, however, shudder at the reality that some of the key modern day administrators of cricket in Barbados still seek to impose the colonial approach to governing cricket in Barbados.
A simple example of this was borne out during the Sagicor General Twenty20 Final between UWI and Empire at Kensington Oval on Friday night.
A precedence was established during the local Twenty20 competition by providing all club teams with white BCA inscribed balls to be used during matches.
It was generally accepted that the supply of these BCA inscribed balls for matches in this competition were to be used that match referees, umpires and team captains were meticulous in ensuring that the ‘correct’ balls were used.
The offer of a different type of ball to the team captains a few moments before the start of the match was clearly mind-boggling.
The BCA is a membership body where clubs (and their membership) are key to the survival and improvement of its local competitions.
Should club teams in Barbados abide by the regulations and asked to do ‘as they are told’ for part and not all of the competition?
I suggest that all rules of the BCA must be followed, but the respect due to the club membership is of paramount importance.
If there is a change to the precedence set, why weren’t all stakeholders informed?
The colonial approach to administering cricket in a globalised environment (Indian Premier League etc) requires an appreciation for all stakeholders involved.
The clubs in Barbados, and by extension their supporters, must re-establish and provide input to ensure that cricket in Barbados is revived.
I suggest that this will not be achieved in the current environment where a select few may believe that all answers will be found among them.
I ask the question… Is Barbados cricket on the rise?
• Steven R. Leslie is a 32-year-old MSc cricket studies student at the UWI Cave Hill Campus. He is also part of the coordination team for the cricket development programme at the UWI.
STEVEN R. LESLIE
