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“[…] What is it about us that after demonstrating our superior playing skills in these colonial and post-colonial islands we cannot now find it within our populations, the business, coaching and management skills to halt the decline of an activity where we dominated the world for a record-breaking almost two decades?
“[…] It cannot and must not be that this priceless legacy of an entire people is simply available to provide opportunity and a good salary to a few in management and some travelling six hitters who might be doing well personally even as the game is withering and dying regionally…”
The following is an op-ed from Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley, after the West Indies’ first round exit from the 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup—after defeats to Scotland and Ireland:
(Copyright AFP)
Ok. Now that the T20 World Cup is over and the embarrassing underwhelming performance of West Indies cricket has been exposed in all its nakedness, there is an urgent need for deep reflection.
What is it about us that after demonstrating our superior playing skills in these colonial and post-colonial islands we cannot now find it within our populations, the business, coaching and management skills to halt the decline of an activity where we dominated the world for a record-breaking almost two decades?
We must stop franchising out our legacy and our future! We need visionary and competent management both on and off the field!
We must look for our requirements within us and we must embrace and allow our world-beating ex-players to play a hugely meaningful role across all boundaries within the region. We need that now!
(via Dr Keith Rowley’s Facebook page)
Firstly, and once again, we must settle and answer the question of: “who owns West Indies cricket?”
It cannot and must not be that this priceless legacy of an entire people is simply available to provide opportunity and a good salary to a few in management and some travelling six hitters who might be doing well personally even as the game is withering and dying regionally.
Enough is enough! If Namibia, Holland, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Afghanistan can get it done, then Cricket West Indies has a lot to answer for.
There must be consequences and a new plan for new initiatives. Now!
Dr Keith Mitchell (Outgoing Caricom chair), where are you?
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My peeve with all that is being said now is that we simplyvtake too long to recognize that a problem exist (beside cricket crime and violence also comes to mind) and when we realize (as with the state of cricket twenty something years on) we may take another twenty debating and setting up all Kinds of useless committees that produce reports that confirm a problem exist with few solutions if any being offered. West Indies cricket was trending toward decline since the late 90s and instead of addressing this situation we kept pinning our hopes on a few players/officials who generally flattered to deceive rather than putting real systems in place to arrest the slide. Well here we are in full crisis mode with lots of wailing and moaning and still no real solutions being placed on the table.
A simple reason for the slide is 1. Neglect and 2. Loss of or no capacity for self internalization and reliance. There is a 5-A’s theory that I believe in and have successfully used to give real meaning to pursuers of carefully assembled goals. It is one that is always needed for 1. Success and 2. The retention or sustainability of success. For success to be gained and sustained, one must consider success to be a forever regenerating endeavor. What brought you success cannot by itself, remain the path to future and continued success. When you get to the top, you draw attention, review, and assessment – people want to dethrone you. They, aspire to obtain your position. From there, they, desire, understand the need to perspire, and thence the chance to acquire. The 5 A’s, formula that I have used continuously to help people (and myself) get to and maintain successful paths until, the body sends the message. The 5-A’s are, Attitude, Awareness, Ability, Application, and Appreciation. Anyone can take this formula and expand on it. Whichever twist you can give to and interpret what each “A” uncorks, you’d come up with workable answer – it is based on each person’s very own mindset, training, and experiences. This 5-A’s formula is set in the embraces of a punchline concoction of, again, my own – entitled, “A True Champion” – One who gets up when lame, shares the fame, and ALWAYS takes the blame. Go figure! On a sidenote, I happen to know both Sir Viv and Dr. Rowley and they do have their special circumstances that make better their understanding of what I have tried to convey here.