Regional first class and limited overs cricket in the Caribbean appears to be continuing its long slide into oblivion. For the first time in memory, there is no coverage in Jamaica of that country's first class or limited overs matches. In Trinidad, former West Indies paceman Colin Croft commented that he had to search the airwaves to find the cricket, eventually finding coverage only on one weak station with poor reception.

The situation doesn't seem to be much different in Barbados, where commentator Andrew Mason noted that the first round match between Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago came very close to not being broadcast because of a lack of sponsorship.
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In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

This should quiet all the misguided folks who sought to blame the "media" for lack of coverage. If the listeners don't tune in the media loses money. The media is not a non-profit organization. They should not be forced to carry unprofitable programming.

One of the primary functions of an umbrella organization of a sport is to promote the sport to the population. The real question is what has the WICB done in the past 20 years to promote cricket and make it relevant to the public? When folks aren't showing interest, it means that the WICB has failed miserably in its management of the sport and they need to be radically reformed or replaced as the stewards of cricket in the Caribbean.

I frankly do not think the WICB is up to it.

England saw the same problem with young people and cricket. So they brought in 20/20 which brought youngsters back to the game.

The WICB has totally ignored 20/20. And so have the clubs and schools.

Cricket isn'y dying. It's being killed by incompetent administrators.

I mean just look at the ass poor billboards in JA for the World Cup. Just that iodiot looking Mello and no WI players or JA personalities like Asafa Powell saying "We're Gonna Win It!"

It really is sad.

Simon has identified the growing loss of interest in the game and the poor standard of play as reasons for a lack of sponsorship. this is very serious but no one really wants to address this lack of interest in a meaningful way. When I joined this MB i thought this was a place for serious discussion about this game that some of us claim to be so passionate about. Unfortunately, most here love only trivial matters where they can demonstrate their nastiness and insularity.

In reply to bobby

How do you propose it be addressed?

In reply to Zikdaman

20/20 in schools and clubs.

The main reason young boys don't like cricket is cause it tek too long.

Alan Standford is the only he sees the obvious and the WICB trying to fact him up.

The severe lack of business ingenuity, skills and bold risk takers permeate the entire West Indian society & culture resulting in a sham for region that is ripe with opportunity. However, when an opportunity drops on their front door (WC), they find ways to screw it up, with their myopic world view, and their shortsighted economic strategies.

Our primary product on the world market is not given an opportunity to grow and mature…..the seeds that will deliver more fruit to continue the product line are thrown into the barren desert of West Indian incompetence and foolishness to germinate and mature.

This problem is not a cricket problem, but a basic regional economic problem. Fix the economic situation, and Cricket will flourish again. We are living in a new world. Let us stop lamenting about what we cannot change and focus on what we can change and how to go about doing it.

In reply to Jimmy

Ok, repeat that in english for the rest of us.

In reply to sabina

The stanford success I believe had as much if not more to do with the brilliant marketing drive he undertook to promote his tournament as it had to do with the format of the game.

In other words, 20/20 unmarketed will die just as quickly as unmarketed 4 day cricket is dying.

The failure as I see it is a failure of marketing. Sure I think 20/20 cricket is a welcome additional format. But I don't think for a minute that it is the saving grace of cricket.

Cricket needs a good marketing body.

In reply to Zikdaman

You got to get cricket into the schools. If young boys stop playing any game it dies in 10 years.

And 20/20 is the way.

In reply to sabina

Young boys will play just about any game if it's marketed properly to them. young boys in India play regular cricket because it is marketed to them properly.

In reply to Zikdaman

Young boys play what they enjoy.

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com
But when the cricket is broadcasted and persons are asked to pay a small fee for internet access for example, even those who can afford it decline. So we are all part of the problem. Remember the vicious attacks on Allen Stanford when he supposedly crossed into sacred territory...that sinful charlatan, how dare he?

I remember saying that WICB should work with him rather than take on the position of adversary. You don’t have the money to do the things you would like to do for West Indies cricket, but here is somebody who has the means. You tread cautiously yes but it just seemed like WICB’s attitude was if you Stanford, doh do what we want we gone jook you!

That seemed to be Lara’s stance too…talking about, he eh put no stock in the 20/20 form of the game. He never showed up in any of the games, never lent his image or anything to the effort and suggested to WICB that they should not give an inch, no negotiation when it came to the Pakistan tour. They all seemed to forget the big picture…the young kids out there who should be made excited about the game. And the game itself, how it will morph and grow and change.

I remember some ppl on here giving all kinds of reasons why the 20/20 championship would hurt the game. And b/c Stanford did not give his money to WICB to do with as they pleased some said that the tournament would do nothing for the game in the region. Can you still say it did nothing? Did it upset the A-team tour? Who knew about young Pascal or Pollard before this? Do you all think Murray’s place would have threatened were it not for the opportunities given to the young players? Whose batting or bowling was worsened for the tourney?

Larr asked me back den what I would not sell? Well people everybody has to transact in some kind of denomination in life. You have to give something in order to get. Supposed pragmatic citied folks like Larr should well versed in that. funny though, I never heard that question asked of Teddy and the others when they saddled WI circket withat stink deal wid Digicel.

In reply to sabina

What they enjoy is largely determined by what is suggested to them via the marketing machine. That is why in India young boys enjoy cricket.

Cricket in Jamaica is dead.

I saw the signs yeas ago but refuse to believe that a country with such a rich tradition was going to let the game die without putting up a fight.

I used to do TV features on cricket but it was only the die hards that followed. I know of Melbourne trying to promote the game,(really the life of the club) and I know of Kingston CC having family cricket events back then but no one else.


The media has done its bit. I can recall cricket on and more than one station having commentary.

The JCA has to take the most of the blame. The media though has to take its share albeit a minor one.

I listen to RJR playing promos for WC and I wonder how that is going to turn out if no one in Jamaica really cares about the game.
Brings me to question, why build this new stadium if cricket isn't going anywhere. Guess it will be used for other things.

In reply to archangel

" know of Melbourne trying to promote the game,(really the life of the club) and I know of Kingston CC having family cricket events back then but no one else."

Where the club 20/20 tournament? Where the schoolboy 20/20 tournament? Where is 20/20 in school house cricket?

In reply to sabina

Club 20/20 that is JCA responsibility.

Schoolboy 20/20 : That is JCA and ISSA to work out.

School 20/20; That is the individual Principals and Sports Masters/Mistresses to organize.

It seems there is no culture of cricket at any of those levels.

Blame the West Indies Cricket Board (of control) they are the ones who have mismanaged the game in the region for decades, there has been no improvement at all over the years, now we are at a stage where there is no commentary of regional games. They do nothing to promote the game in the region , they do the opposite and fight the players for what is theirs.


Soon there will be no cricket being played in this region, our FC season has now been boiled down to each team playin each other once. What a travesty , the WICB must be removed and replaced by a more competent governing body. Our cricket is dying , the people in the region need to stop complaining and do something about it.

In reply to archangel

More like no brains.

Cause plenty man talk bout cricket on the sports talk shows. Far more than any other sport.

In reply to sabina

That's the paradox.

In reply to archangel

No. It shows there is interest. It's not lack of interest incricket which is the problem but lack of time.

People got no time these days. They want something they can watch for a couple hours and then go home.

20/20 is the thing. But our admins are blind.

the WICB in WI cricket has become irrelevant to the future of the game in the region, It its time to replace this incompetent body and its money eating staff.


The WICB is a an organization established as a means of supporting the rich lifesyles of its staff and employees while neglecting the game in the region........


from the millions of dollars that disappeared from the skydeal, to the digicel fiasco, these people are incompetent and must be replaced. They care nothing about the game in the region or its future.

where has the money gone?

In reply to Dekkah

Dekks great post but I must quibble with the above quote. Asking people to pay for audio coverage is a non-starter. There is no sport I know of that does are could sustain itself if the fans are asked to pay for basic audio coverage. Any product has to be marketed and part of the basic marketing of a sport is to provide means for casual fans to follow the sport. If this is not provided the sport will die.

You just cannot expect to financially support a sport on the backs of the few diehard fans. People will find alternative entertainment if they cannot follow your sport for free. That goes for West Indians, Americans, Europeans and anybody else.

the way I see it this only opens up a real opportunity for commentary by other means. Inluding the web, Web radio is not that too difficult.

But I agree with the comments, lack of planning and people to take the risks. Capital is sometimes a real problem though. :roll:

In reply to CaribbeanCricket.com

Thankfully there is some recognition of the seriousness of this problem.

The diminishing trend in local cricket coverage in the West Indies started years ago, in the late 70's.

Up till then there were regular broadcasts of ALL first class matches, including tour matches against territorial youth teams, called the Colts matches. In addition, there was live coverage of Jones Cup matches between Demerara and Berbice, which enjoyed first class status. In addition, there were different teams covering each match for each station carrying coverage!

Added to that, all the West Indies youth matches (called BAT matches in those days) were covered, as well as many limited overs Club matches, such as those sponsored by Rothman's (cigarettes) in Guyana.

As politics changed in the region, however, cricket coverage became progressively worse. It was as if the new elite, left-leaning and all, decided that cricket, the Boy Scouts, and a few activities inherited from the British, were vestiges of colonialism that had to be exorcised with all other similar "unclean" things British.

Whatever the reason, cricket - like most other activities in the West Indies, will only flourish with strong political backing. This continuing lack of coverage is but another grave symptom that such backing is just not there.

Norm

In reply to Norm

You are saying that cricket cannot stand on its own? That it needs government to provide a crutch for survival? Well if the only means to give life to cricket is for the government to get involved then I say let it die.

Any sport that cannot be sustained by private enterprise is a sport that does not deserve to survive.

In reply to Zikdaman

Zik,

That private enterprise involvement has to be built on a proper political and legislative framework, not on anybody's "crutch". The New York in "New York Yankees" has a lot of political meaning in it.

Norm

I am at the once unthinkable point of view;West Indies cricket need a private owner. I would love to be that guy /and or girl but frankly at this moment I cannot foot the bill. Therefore I would fully support the ousting of the WICB by a private individual who is willing to bring West Indies cricket back to the top of the mountain where it belong.

(I know the WICB is a so-called private or non public body) However it is run by charity, corruption, incompetence, insularity and other ills which is not working for the benefit of the game, the people nor the players. The last straw for me was this current tour to India where the players are forced to wear Digicel clothing without compensation. Utter utter bullshit.

Allen Stanford you have my support.

Wesley

In reply to Norm

Norm, what are you saying that caribbean governments need to do to provide the political and legislative framework so that private enterprise can be involved in the sport of cricket?

In the Caribbean, most people take the attitude that things will work themselves out...the same attitude displayed by WICB...there is no creative ideas...no thinking outside the box....folks take up position and just expect things to happen by themself....

That's why American and other toursits love the Caribbean...the easy laid back don't have a care in the world attitude...only thing is that attitude is there 365 days a year, while for the tourist it's only a 2 or 3 week experience...

In reply to Norm
Norm, you are right on the money...

Everyone thinks that replacing WICB will solve the problem..... However they fail to see that WICB is operating just like any other corp or government in the region.... Like I said previously, this is a regional economic problem. Fix the economy, provide jobs for people, imporve quality of live and living standards, and Cricket will florish like it is in Australia, England, India, Pakistan etc.

In reply to Jimmy

I'm sorry but the evidence does not support your theory. Cricket florished in the decades before the 90's when the economy and living standards in much of the caribbean were far worse than they are now. Go back to the drawing board and come up with another theory.

I find it very interesting that when I launch my attacks on the incompetence of the Pirates there are very few persons who voice their opinions , pro or con .

But are now willing to do so regarding Cricket coverage . In SVG , Cricket coverage in audio and video is generally sponsored by the Lottery Board and local Companies .

Carib Beer commercials are also heard so I suppose that the company runs commercials .

I was very surprised that in March last year , in Barbados , the West Indies overseas tour was not covered on the local TV , but was on cable , which incured a cost .

In SVG people with regular TV see the matches , which as I said are sponsored by the Lottery Authority . Local firms like ECGC ( Eastern Caribbean Group of Companies ) also have their commercials run to help defray the cost of transmission . In SVG the Lottery Authority is charged with promoting Sports and Cultural Activities .

In my opinion it is incumbent on the Regional Boards to have Cricket diseminated to Cricketers and fans of their respective countries . I have no idea what is their input , if any into getting Regional matches broadcast on Radio.

I am also of the opinion that it is the job of the local radio stations to line up sponsors to defray the cost of transmitting the matches on radio.

The Regional Cricket Tournaments happen every year , this fact is well known in the Region . Therefore , again in my opinion the Regional Boards and the local Radio Stations have absolutely no excuse for not lining up sponsors etc. so that matches can be broadcast on Radio.

Perhaps The Radio stations really dont make enough of an effort to have the matches broadcast , local persons would be able to inform us whether this is true or not .

In reply to Zikdaman

Right, Zik.

That approach is being employed very successfully in developed countries, and more recently in countries like India. These people see major sports teams as a business - from infrastructure all the way to selling tickets and pop corn at games.

Cities like New York, San Francisco, etc, are very proud of the teams they host. We see the same thing in Australia, Brazil, etc. The system is not perfect but it helps to channel private investment into sports infrastructure, broadcasting, professionalism, etc, with both government and private parties making money from it.

Plus, it provides a predictable environment for wealthy individuals to put money into sports.

Norm

In reply to POINT

What if potential sponsors don't see enough value in the cost of sponsoring cricket programming? What can the radio station do about that?

In reply to Norm

Interesting thought Norm. So what exactly do you think regional governments should be doing? Let's have some concrete ideas on the way forward.

In reply to Zikdaman

Carib Beer I am sure as the Sponsors of the Regional Tournament would I believe put ads on local radio stations .

My point is that it is incumbent on both the local Boards and the Radio Stations to go out there and persuade buisness houses to advertise during the commentary of matches which in my opinion means that the will be sponsors have on these occasions a captive audience .

But to reiterate , , in my opinion , THE LOCAL BOARDS & THE RADIO STATIONS need to get up off their duffs and seek sponsorship. BY DOING THAT IN MY OPINION THEY WOULD TANGIBLY DEMONSTRATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO CRICKET IN THE REGION .

In reply to POINT

So you think Carib beer would sponsor the tournament AND also pay the radio stations to carry it?



How exactly do the radio stations sell sponsorship to a program no one listens to? Please explain that.

A question occured to me: I understand that Sports Max, not sure that is the correct name, but this cable station provide internation cricket coverage to Jamaica.

If that is so, does anybody know if this is working out profitable for that company?

Do they think it is worthwile or not?

http://caribbeancricket.com/news/0000/00/00/650

cricket in the west indies will surely die if left in the hands of wicb.

why so?

because it MUST. wicb is an accident, a group of old boys who are self seeking and incompetent. they have NEVER done anything to develop west indies cricket that was a success. so it is inevitable as night follows day, that cricket will die.

cricket does not need handouts, but it needs massive amounts of investments, especially on account of the state of delapidation and decay in which it finds itself in the caribbean.

a large part of the investment must be in promotions and marketing, making cricket attractive and appealing to both potential cricketers and the viewing public.

unlike short-duration individual-oriented sports (like basketball and soccer where a lone kid can practice and train on his/her own with no facilities and infrastructure), cricket needs gear, wickets, teams, coaching, strong committment, etc), and must start at the school level.

cricket needs a structure and organization that is appropriate to the caribbean and to the time, the technology, the competition, that now prevails. cricket must have the ability to adjust rapidly to the rapidly changing environment (50/50, 20/20, beach).

cricket is now a complex and highly competitive WORLD sport. it will not survive on a happy-go-lucky basis, but with seriousness of purpose, dedication, shrewdness, and all those attributes that must go into the operation of a successful world-stage business.

in all countries where cricket is successful, the government plays an essential and crucial role. in the caribbean, it is absolutely essential.

at the commencement of satellite telecommunications, the investments required were staggering. 120 governments of the world formed a consortium to design, develop, build, launch and operate the first satellite telecommunications system.

now, 40 years later, the industry is so advanced that every tom, dick and harry, can set up their own satellite system. richard bramson will soon be offering trips into outer space.

the lesson is that once the investments begin to pay dividens, the time is ready for entrepreneurial influences to establish themselves.

but the outlook is bleak. for with the very obvious signs of an industry in deep distress and decline, allen stanford, an american, to wit, seems to be the only ray of light in the deepening gloom. governments seem to have no interest in what could become a massive foreign-exchange earning industry

and make no mistake , stanford is despised and reviled by the cricket establisment and cricketrs alike.

yawwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnn

every year we discusing dis......and???

In reply to FrankSubaran

Well said Frank... and ditto

In reply to Zikdaman

You listen to cricket don't you? So do I, and so do many others. I know it is fashionable to blame the WICB and many times they deserve that blame, but this time the jury is out. I tend to side with POINT on this one, in my view if sponsors are willing to pay for the same old music programming that one can hear every day on most Caribbean radio stations then cricket can be sold. It's sunday, who's paying for and how many sets are tuned to all the church programming thats on right now on the Caribbean stations? Or, how many people listen to horse racing? I'm sure that the WI radio stations don't have a Neilsens ratings system established in the region so you are being purely anecdotal when u say "no one" listens to cricket in the region.

I believe the problem lies with the Radio station salespeople not doing enough to package and sell cricket broadcasts, and probably the high price they are charging for ad spots on such broadcasts. Let's do some real research to find out how much it costs to broadcast a game, then find out how much time the radio stations actually spend in lining up sponsorship for said broadcasts? Do the salesforce tell the ad buyers that their ads are being broadcaast on the internet and reaching an audience beyond the shores of their respective regions? Do they package cricket along with other content so that the cost could be spread out over a longer period of time?

Let's find out the answers to those questions.....

In reply to Zikdaman

...and if no one wants to listen why are people complaining?

CBC barbados was streaming cricket coverage until "somebody" wrote and told them that thir "license" does not include internet steaming. So, even when a station is willing the "rights" holders are driving the nails in the coffin.

We are now commercial cricketers higglers and not professional sports business people.

http://www.cbc.bb/content/view/197/89/

In reply to Blackbird

Who was the "somebody" who told them that they couldn't stream on the internet? And why couldn't they then offer to work out a deal and buy the license?

In reply to Zikdaman

Listen , there is in my opinion absolutelty no excuse that you or anyone can offer why local buisness places cannot be asked to buy ads .

In the Windwards buisness houses do buy ads . Yes in the countries that you and others refer to as Dotties .

Not only that , most of the govt. owned and other stations are on the Internet . May I enquire if in Jamaica the stations there are on the Internet ???? .

I am currently in Florida , listening to the commentary from Dominica Broadcasting System , which is on the Internet .

In essence I aint accepting what you have said as any bloody excuse .

In reply to bobby

It was natural when we started losing that cricket lost the sweet taste it once had. However maintaing the public interest should not have been mind boggling; it will require thought and work.

Here are some ideas:
1. Cricket revival MUST come from the youths. Therefore our concentration should be on well funded little leagues for both boys and girls. This should be continued throughout the primary & secondary schools. Emphasis should be on 10/10 or 20/20 with innovation in the rules to encourage excitement and interest; here's an example:
Instead of playing on large open fields, the game could be played on small, tall fenced fields about 3 or 4 times as large as a basketball court. That allows for just a few players to play. Eleven players are not necessary. Games can be played with mixed sexes in co-ed schools. Tennis balls or more springy bouncier balls may be used. Kids love to play. They'll figure things out. Grownups can help.

2. Re-introduce a re-formated version of "Beach Cricket" so that it is all inclusive. We can learn a thing or two from beach volleyball. Get the old and the young even the tourists involved. Make the beach the place to be on a weekend once again. Hold competitions right there on the beach. Bring the game to the people, even in the shopping malls.

3. Bring the test cricketers to the people as well. Make them know that they represent the people and as such are their ambassadors. There are lots of different functions happening on each island throughout the year. Have these players show up and meet the people. When you know someone is depending on you it makes you try a little harder and allows you to play above your potential.

Once these girls and boys together with their moms & dads start catching that old cricketing fever, trust me, it will become an epidemic.

so what is the the way forward peoples? :(

bump