HEADLINE: Former CARICOM boss denies governments to blame for state of West Indies cricket

FORMER PRIME Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, has refuted claims by Cricket West Indies (CWI) president, Dr Kishore Shallow, that CARICOM governments were not doing enough to assist in the development of cricket in the region.

In fact, Dr Rowley, who also served as chairman of CARICOM’s Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on Cricket during his time in office, said he was shocked to hear such accusations from Dr Shallow.

In a previous interview on WESN Tv’s Face of Sports programme, Dr Shallow charged that infrastructure across the region needed to be improved, and there was a need for more emphasis to be placed on grassroots cricket programmes, along with school and club cricket.

He contended it was a misconception that it was the responsibility of CWI or the territorial boards to address those issues.

Read more at Jamaica Gleaner

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In reply to Sylobaby

“Cricket in the Caribbean at school level and junior level is largely a government thing; the facilities, the infrastructure are government facilities in most instances, and governments give tremendous support.”

Dr Rowley I can tell you have not visited Dominica in recent years so you could see with your eyes that cricket on all levels is now a dead spot except in the Carb territory. No where else is cricket seen or played on island .
I am a Dominican residing abroad and was shocked to not see any sign of cricket on island during my six weeks vacation. Not only that but the size offive of the grinds I visited were reduced to accommodate very huge school buildings for 75% fewer students and apartment buildings. So Mr Rowley although l love the blows on Dr Shallow I must say you are wrong too

Well for him to say this... really explains a lot. What exactly is CWI's mandate or objective.

Investing in grass roots and facilities may not be their primary responsibility, but surely it would be to their benefit to engage the governments

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Why is he focusing on the improvement of infrastructure in the region as well as emphasis on grassroots cricket?

Perhaps major parts of the region have lost interest in building anything as all the attention and big matches are scheduled in a few of the smaller islands where the hierarchy originates from. People build when there is at least a semblance of inclusion and recognition. Case in point - T&T and Guyana.