A Blueprint For Professionalism

In a recent editorial, Tony Cozier wrote: "The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has several pressing needs at present, all of which are constrained by its parlous financial state. But high on its list of priorities must be the issuing of contracts to the group of, say 20 emerging young players that would transform them into full-time professionals."

There have been times when Cozier makes no sense, and there are times when he makes lots of sense. The above quote is sensible and it comes at an opportune time. Yes we know the WICB is cash strapped, and that there are many priorities, but Cozier is right on the ball with this one.

We have to, must, certainly need to, find a way to contract the best 20 players we have. Provide them with clearly full-time professional jobs and let them, free of worry, play the best cricket they can.

Nothing is more bothersome to a man than when he has to worry about his next pay check, or whether he will have a job when he returns. And all of this affects family and loved ones, and dependent siblings. Many of othese guys have jobs that do not pay them while away, or pay them less, OR they have job insecurities to consider. All of this takes away from their concentration and their commitment and allow for the indiscipline and poor attitudes that we hear of in the media.

How can the WICB do it? Well they have to dig deep, seek out large sponsorship, encourage major collaborations with big companies/corporations and plan strategies with them that will allow them some visiblity while West Indies cricket is marching to progress.

In addition, regional governments must also share some of the costs for this regional institution. The regional sports bodies too need get into the fray and seek out sponsors for their own members within the 20. Just as Universities seek out endowments, so too should WICB and its regional boards/associations seek out the Shells, Essos, Kaisers, Alcans, D&Gs, Natalons, and so on - all the big monied corporations - for extensive and medium term ENDOWMENTS. Give them the option of adopting a named endowment such as "The George Headly Endowment" or "The Learie Constantine Endowment".

The corollary to all that is that each year a full-time professional cricketer can be named to one of those endowments to give them something to strive toward as a kind of bonus that they get and maintain the named Endowment for the full next year. Then the wheels turn again - the same person or a new person can win. Criteria must be set for each such Endowment winner - who will be an ambassador for that company or corporation in local, regional, and international terms.

There is more planning and details to all of this than is outlined here, but I am hoping to plant a germ, and hope the infection takes hold. Those close to the ground can spin the idea in their territories and among influential cricketing administrators and the Powers That Be, but we need to pay these guys and make them full time West Indian professional players who wear the maroon with pride, distinction, and commitment to getting back to the top -- and quickly.