On 13 October, 2023, a significant meeting took place at State House in Guyana, where the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, and Cricket West Indies President Dr. Kishore Shallow joined forces to strengthen the foundations of cricket in the Caribbean. The commitment extended to various aspects, including infrastructural development, cricket programs, and commercial opportunities.
President Ali’s dedication to this partnership was evident as he expressed his commitment to boost the performance of West Indies cricket, emphasizing the establishment of a High-Performance Centre in Guyana for the benefit of cricketers across the region. He stated,
“We are excited as a government to play our part in the redevelopment of cricket in the region and welcome the partnership with CWI in the development of a regional High-Performance Centre and cricket academy here in Guyana.”
Further, President Ali underlined his intention to collaborate with CWI President Dr. Shallow to enhance the popularity and growth of cricket in the Caribbean. He emphasized the need to differentiate the West Indies cricket product from other regions and countries, promoting the unique culture, people, and natural beauty of the Caribbean as part of the rebranding effort.
In this collaborative spirit, President Ali stressed the importance of unity among all stakeholders involved in advancing cricket’s development at every level. He urged CWI to consolidate their efforts in the collective interest of stakeholders across the region.
In response, Dr. Shallow commended President Ali’s commitment to cricket and recognized the significant investments made in the sport in Guyana. He spoke of the immense potential that lies in collaborating with Guyana, especially in providing world-class facilities and programs for young and emerging cricketers. Dr. Shallow emphasized that collaboration between CWI and regional governments is crucial for restoring the iconic status of West Indies cricket.
Guyana, having successfully hosted the last two Caribbean Premier League (CPL) finals, is emerging as a focal point on the regional cricket calendar. Thousands of cricket enthusiasts have been drawn to Guyana, indicating the growing significance of the sport in the region. This collaboration is set to elevate West Indies cricket and bring exciting opportunities to both players and spectators.
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