Sponsors Take Control of W.I Cricket
Fri, Dec 6, '02
If there was any lingering doubt that cash-strapped cricket executives in the West Indies hold no bargaining power in sponsorship negotiations, along comes Trinidad and Tobago-based beverage firm SM Jaleel Ltd. to set things in perspective.
This year, the Fruta Windward Island Under-15 Cricket Championship will be held from December 13-20 in Tobago. Yes, that Tobago. And, yes, those Windward Islands.
In the past, the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has fought a losing battle with Jamaica-based Red Stripe for control over where the semis and finals of the regional one-day tournament should be staged and it's clear that SM Jaleel is calling all the shots with regard to the Windward Islands youth tournament.
That a tournament involving Under-15 teams from Grenada, Dominica, St Vincent and St Lucia would be staged in a country not even involved in the tournament is a serious indictment of the way financial considerations have completely taken over the management of cricket in the Caribbean.
According to a report in the Trinidad Express newspapers, the tournament will be co-sponsored by Caribbean Star Airlines, Universal Foods, Nestle, Nemwil, the Airports Authority and the Tobago House of Assembly.?
President of the Windward Island Cricket Board Lennox John told reporters the tournament would be used to select the Windward squad for the West Indies Youth Championship but he did not discuss why at least a few games could not be staged in one of the participating islands.
SM Jaleel executive Anna Mohammed said explained the company's had a specific interest in helping the Windwards board because it had a subsidiary plant in St Lucia, and wanted to give back something to the Eastern Caribbean which had supported them so well.
Like Lennox John, Mohammed did not have to explain why the tournament had to be staged in Tobago. It's all about dollars and cents.
Caribbean Star, which has head offices in Antigua, plans to assist by offering subsidised airfare to the teams participating in the tournament.
The issue of where key matches will be staged is sure to be high on the agenda of discussions between the WICB and the next sponsor of the regional four-day competition. SM Jaleel, which markets the 'Busta' soft drink, has dumped the WICB and the board is said to be in negotiations with Trinidad-based Ansa McAl to take over sponsorship.
If things stay the same, look for Ansa McAl to twist some arms to get some key games in Trinidad and Tobago.