PATTERSON

ST. JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

The Patterson Committee set up to look at the governance of West Indies cricket is calling on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) to lobby the regional governments to have the game included on the schools' curriculum.

After looking at the state of cricket in schools in the West Indies, the committee headed by former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, and including Sir Alister McIntyre and Dr. Ian McDonald has advised that the WICB must make strenuous efforts to get the game included on the curriculum.

According to the committee, in most territories both organised and casual practice of the game leaves much to be desired.

Reminding that in the early 20th century sports and particularly cricket was an integral part of the Victorian education system, the committee said that a number of problems now prevent cricket from being the number-one attraction among young sportspeople in the Caribbean.

Among them are competition from other sports, especially football, track and field, and basketball, adequate playing and other facilities, lack of funding, as well as an inadequate number of and lack of quality coaches.

Increase interest

The committee added that the WICB needs to intensify its efforts to promote school cricket throughout the region, as during the last 10 years the regional governing body has shown an increasing interest and has taken some initiatives, but somewhat haphazardly.

Looking ahead, the committee said the board should continue with the Scotiabank Kiddy cricket which caters for ages between eight and 11, and also schools, clubs, and territorial boards should cooperate to ensure as much as possible that talented secondary school players join clubs when they leave school.