Caribbean pride at all-time high, says Hunte

Dr. Julian Hunte, president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), says he could feel the ‘vibe’ change in the Caribbean following the West Indies’ triumph at the World Twenty20 tournament earlier this month.

During a wide-ranging press conference at Kensington Oval on Monday, Hunte said he was overjoyed with the senior team’s recent success in Sri Lanka.

Dr. Julian Hunte, president of the
West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).

The West Indies defeated the hosts by 36 runs in the final in Colombo on October 7.

“Instead of the usual lectures and condemnations, it was refreshing to arrive in Barbados to warm and exuberant congratulations,” he said.

“I can not recall another time in my own presidency when West Indies cricket has been subject to such a period of sustained kudos.”

Hunte said the victory perfectly exemplified the team’s motto of ‘One Team, One People, One Goal’.

“I was in Sri Lanka and witnessed every moment of the final and the preceding matches,” said Hunte.

“I saw the will to win, camaraderie and the unrelenting attitude of focus and determination in executing the team motto. The victory demonstrates, as the great West Indies teams have done in the past, that as diverse a region as we are, when we work together, with purpose, we can achieve the greatest of things and dominate the world.”

Hunte said that though the victory, the West Indies’ first world title in eight years and fourth since the 1970s, marked a return to international prominence, there was still much to be done.

“While this victory is by no means a panacea for all the ills which has stagnated West Indies cricket, it is an indication that West Indies cricket is back on a progressive course and that even brighter days are ahead once we commit ourselves to doing all that is required to ensure that we build upon this triumph.”

Switching his attentions to the matter of sponsorship, Hunte said that negotiations to have the three WICB regional tournaments - Four-Day, 50-Over and Caribbean T20 - sponsored were at an advanced stage.

“I have always held the position that for our domestic tournaments, if we can not get a sponsor, and it has been very difficult to get sponsors in the Caribbean, we have a responsibility to find the resources,” he said.

“Of course, if we get a sponsor, those resources can be deployed elsewhere as it relates to the development of our cricket.

“In terms of the responses that we have been receiving following the win in Sri Lanka, everybody seems to realise that we are sort of in winners row again.

“We are also looking at the possibility of a Caribbean Premier League, but we are in active discussions and negotiations and we do not wish to say anything that would jeopardise it.”

Hunte said he was optimistic that an announcement with regards to sponsorship, media and commercial rights would be made by the end of the week.

“We are currently talking to a group of business people and I am hoping that they will be able to come in time for this [2013] season,” he added. (AH)