“COME FRESH! Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) committees call for radical change.” SUNDAY SUN, July 18, 2010.
If you had a chance to read that release, you might wonder, as I do, how a fresh start can exclude the most important aspect, the cricket structure.
Barbados cricket belongs to the people of Barbados and not the BCA board, who are only the legal custodians by an Act of Parliament in 1933 for the administration of cricket on the island.
Former Minister of Sport Dr Esther Byer-Suckoo, speaking in Parliament said: “Never mind those who believe that cricket is dead, we believe otherwise. It is generally felt that there is no real developmental plan.”
What is needed is a well structured system which is being worked on by Government.
It will largely focus on youths and give village cricket greater prominence and could be a template for other sport.
“It is amazing what can be accomplished if you don’t care who gets the credit,” said former United States president Harry Truman.
At the risk of being mocked, this writer is willing to prepare a comprehensive document (within four weeks) [outlining] a new structure for Barbados cricket and having it scrutinised by an independent committee drawn from some of the following:
Sir Garry Sobers, Sir Everton Weekes, Reverend Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, the Minister of Sport and presidents of the BCL/BCA.
JEFF LAYNE
