Congratulations go out to the victorious West Indies men and women teams on becoming well-deserved ICC World T20 champions. The women’s victory I am most pleased about because, hopefully, this victory would inspire young women cricketers.
As for the men, their victory sends a message to all that despite obstacles, you can achieve anything that you put your mind to.
There were many obstacles such as the WICB reducing salaries of the players; the lack of uniforms and printing of them; and there was even an obstacle of having to score 19 runs in the last over to win. One always needs a strong heart to watch West Indies play.
Imagine the WICB didn’t communicate support to the team when they made the final yet the Prime Minister of Grenada, Dr Keith Mitchell did. That is a travesty and indicates how the players are looked at by the board.
The WICB was quick to apologise for WI captain Darren Sammy comments criticising the board, hinting at disciplinary action for Mr Sammy. I hope Dr Mitchell and other heads of Caricom get their way and dissolve the WICB and put in its place an organisation that can be accountable to its stakeholders and which supports the players, which has been lacking.
Christopher Olliverre