– Advertisement –
By Neto Baptiste
Make the necessary changes at the administrative end or face being removed from office.
That was the ultimatum given to administrators within the Antigua and Barbuda Cricket Association (ABCA) by two former players as they call for meaningful development programmes that will encourage growth of the game here.
Speaking on the Good Morning Jojo Sports Show, former West Indies fast bowler and President of the Liberta Sports Club, Kenneth Benjamin, said clubs must take a stand on the issue and put pressure on the governing body to make the necessary changes.
“I believe we need people manning the ABCA with the attitude and the will to make the changes; they have to get people who have the attitude and have the ability and have the passion to make this happen. It can’t be only about international cricket and local cricket, it has to be about youth development programme and youth development league,” he said.
“I know the ABCA is having elections some time soon and I would support the president who wants to make a turnaround change and focus because the cricket in Antigua is crap so we have to make sure the next generation doesn’t go through the same pathway or the non-pathway. We have to make some sacrifices; we are going to lose some friends, people are going to be vexed with us but we have to be brutally honest and say that if we are not looking at youth development programmes then you don’t have my support,” he added.
As it stands, there are no grassroots and or development programmes run by the local cricket association and although there were several promises in the past to look at the possibility of starting a programme, there has been no progress.
Coach and former Leeward Islands player, John Archibald, echoed Benjamin’s sentiments, adding that friendships must be put aside for the good of the game.
“We have to get rid of the gentlemen’s club and get people who are productive and not people who are knocking glass together and eating food. The time has come where we have to look at the cricket, where it is presently and where we need to take it and whosoever those people are that are going to come on board so that we can move the thing forward. We don’t have to see eye to eye either but what is in front of us is important so let’s get it done; you don’t have to like me and I don’t have to like you but let us get the work done,” he said.
The discussion of development and grassroots cricket resurfaced following recent poor performances by senior West Indies men’s teams against Australia.
About The Author
– Advertisement –
