A STRONG SLATE of candidates have put their names up for presidency of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA).
The anticipation in cricket circles is that Conde Riley will soon make a formal announcement relinquishing the post of president. A retired investment banker, he is a highly respected administrator of three decades’ experience and director of Cricket West Indies.
When Riley calls it a day, there will be a major election among the membership to fill the most powerful administrative post on the local sporting landscape. Up to the time of writing, three high-profile candidates told the DAILY NATION they plan to go after the top job. Others could join the race in the coming weeks.
Calvin Hope, Philo Wallace and Jeff Broomes confirmed their intentions to head the BCA team.
Hope is the long-standing vice president of the BCA; Wallace is a former Barbados captain and West Indies opening batsman and former BCA board member; while Broomes is a retired secondary school principal and former Barbados cricket team manager and ex-BCA vice-president.
Wallace was first out the blocks with his campaign. He is keen to implement programmes and initiatives geared towards the development of young male and female cricketers around the island and prepare them for the regional and international stage.
When contacted, he said: “I am running to become the president of the BCA because over the years the state of Barbados cricket has declined. We are winning the youth competitions, but nothing is happening after that, and our young players are not kicking on to become better players. There has to be a bigger effort from the BCA to keep our talented players in a state of readiness and focus on forging a career out of cricket.
“The association should work closely with various youth programme facilitators on the island and drive the local clubs to set up youth programmes to help in turning the wheel to encourage more kids to play cricket. The BCA needs to work handin- hand with the Cricket Legends of
Barbados and incorporate them into the BCA family to help develop proper cricketers both male and female,” the 54-year-old added.
Hope suggested a need for “resetting” the cricket product, adding that urgent attention needs to be paid to the game at the club and schools levels. He noted that while Barbados has a working cricket ecosystem, the BCA must form closer relationships with all members of the cricket fraternity.
Higher levels
“We have to ask ourselves what drives cricket. We have a structure of schools and clubs, which is a pathway to the higher levels. They (players) come through that system and then enter the club systems,” Hope said.
“We need to focus on resetting that structure in a way that there is some permanence of structure, pillars and processes. We need to move into the modern era. The conditions of playing cricket are significantly different than years ago and changes continue to happen. We also have to look at close working relationships with the authorities all around the islands at strategic locations to enhance the game and broaden the level of participation. The modern game requires a more vibrant participation of all members.
“Cricket in Barbados is an international brand. My focus is to have a well-oiled, cutting-edge sporting institution, delivering to its customers and for the betterment of the country,” he stressed.
While Broomes confirmed his interest in vying for the post, efforts to reach him later for a comment were unsuccessful.
The BCA is the largest sporting body on the island and is in sound financial standing in an era when funding for sports is challenging. It has been in existence for over 100 years. Last week the organisation successfully hosted the first Test match between West Indies and Australia – the 56th Test match to be played at Kensington Oval. (PS)
