Congratulations to Jamaican Whycliffe “Dave” Cameron and Dominican Emmanuel Nanthan at being elected to the extremely ultra-important positions of President and Vice President, respectively, West Indies Cricket Board. These are positive examples of youth not at all having been wasted on the young!
Observing Cameron and Nanthan posing for media photographs reminded me much of the youthful charisma that similarly oozed from 42nd President of United States, William Jefferson “Bill” Clinton, and his pragmatic, highly professional Vice President, Albert “Al” Arnold Gore.
“Uncle Bill” was 47 when he became President in 1993. V-P “Big Al” was 45. With that special mix of daring, charm and purpose, they brought such life and prosperity to USA in eight years in office that no-one since, not even present USA President Barack Obama, can dare to compare.
In 1993, America not only wanted, but needed tremendous change, after the warring exploits of “Old” George H.W. Bush. Clinton eventually managed to change 257 million minds into again believing in America. Since John F. Kennedy, Clinton is regularly considered to be one of America’s best Presidents.
In 2013, Cameron, 42, must have similar focus and attitude to his new position, to change minds of most of the Caribbean populace, bringing needed harmony, so that they could again believe that West Indies cricket is indeed for all, and not only for moneyed “fat cats” who just sit in boxes drinking champagne!
Cameron has been around West Indies cricket for a decade, having been a WICB Director since 2002 and Vice President, to Dr. Julian Hunte, since 2007.
As a long-time insider, there must be consternation that he would probably continue along the course that West Indies cricket had taken these last several years.
Contrary to that thought, I prefer to believe that Cameron and Nanthan will have recognized, by now, that West Indies cricket, while recently on the upswing, still needs much more energy and full involvement of all constituents, ex and present players, all businesses and every Caribbean inhabitant.
Nanthan became President of Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) in 2008, replacing veteran administrator Lennox John, who was involved in West Indies cricket, like Dr. Hunte, for eons.
It really was time for Windward Islands to change its outlook, personnel and objectives. Now, they are better placed, with Windsor Park emerging as one of the premier Caribbean cricket grounds, and WICBC’s and Dominica’s recent President now V-P of West Indies Cricket Board – total upward mobility!
Technically, geographically, Dominica is more in Leeward Islands, but has been a member of Windward Islands since 1940. Since his election as WICBC’s President, Nanthan has overseen a welcomed visage change in Windward Islands cricket. The so-called “small islands” have been making big noises recently!
Nanthan did pull off a magnificent coup by beating a real legend of West Indies cricket, my former fast bowling partner, Joel Garner, by a whopping 8-4 votes.
Name recognition might feature in other environments, but “Big Bird” Garner has never had his wing-span clipped so decidedly anywhere previously!
I have great respect, and appreciation, for Dr. Hunte and the tenure he has put in for West Indies cricket’s survival. He has worked tremendously hard, trying to bring West Indies back to those distant past glory days, eventually enjoying at least one very recent world championship – ICC World T-20 2012.
Co-incidentally, as if to salute his end of tenure, one of Dr. Hunte’s few missteps was again highlighted, on CNBC’s “American Greed”, on the very same day of WICB elections. That day, R Allen Stanford’s story was again shown, with Dr. Hunte and English Cricket Board Chairman Giles Clarke featuring highly.
I prefer to remember Dr. Hunte in much more refreshing light, as he, then WICB V-P, and his wife, threw one of the very best parties I have ever attended anywhere, at his home in St. Lucia, to welcome touring Pakistani and West Indies President’s XI teams, in 1976/7.
Whatever “Big Bird” and I drank that night must have worked. We got seventeen wickets between us in that game, debuting afterwards in 1st Test – Barbados – where we also impressed. The rest is real West Indies history!
While I too agree that, like Windward Islands, West Indies cricket needs new, fresh leadership, everyone involved in our cricket over the last 35 years should applaud the efforts, continuity and mostly selflessness of Dr. Hunte’s involvement in our cricket. Very few have given so much in a lifetime!
Dr. Hunte’s longevity brings us to another point. I strongly believe that the hierarchy of West Indies Cricket Board should, like United States of America, have no more than two terms in any such office.
America’s policies do not always change, even if the leader – The President – must change after two terms. New personnel should bring fresh energies and new perspectives.
Notice that even though he promised to effect drastic changes, like closing Gauntanamo Bay military prison, President Obama still continues edicts of “Young” Bush, George W. “Gitmo” is still open!
Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan have much work to do. Let us all wish them well! Enjoy!
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Jalousie. What’s your beef?
I wish the two gentlemen much success in the coming years,Mr Nanthan is a very bright man and i respect him for the work he have done re Cricket,bring it to a whole new and better level,because i dont want to see cricket go down the drain like some order sports i c in my Country>We the people of Dominica will continue to pray for you (esp me) and your conterparts.AFTER ALL WE ALL ARE WEST INDIES “One love my brother”
Congrats to you two gentlemen!!!
Keep up the good works friends. take cricket to the next level. Ha ha almost took Colin croth For leader of the opposition Honorable Hector John…..
A very refreshing piece by Colin Croft. That is what journalism is all about – balance, constructive criticism, praise where it is due, encouragement, and forward looking. “So-called” journalists can take a page from Croft’s book.
Congratulations to the new President and Vice President of the WICB. Thanks to Dr. Hunte for yeoman service to cricket for at least three decades. West Indies cricket on the rise – from a good length.
@Reader: Mr. Croft has written his opinion. Please don’t confuse a man’s opinion with journalism. You ill-conceived perception of journalism as “constructive criticism” and “encouragement” is warped, at best. Thankfully, your advice to what you’ve referred to as “So-called journalists” to take a page from Mr. Croft’s book will be ignored.
No journalist would refer to Julian Hunte as “Dr. Hunte”. He was given an honourary doctorate and people with honourary doctorates aren’t entitled to be called “Dr”. I indicated such on a posting in response to Mr. Croft’s piece on 30 March and they’re yet to approve it. Maybe they are doing their journalistic duties and checking the information before approving it.
Mano on the board of WICB must translate to more cricket for Dominica. See the coup he pulleed off last year when the Aussie’s toured? “Now, they are better placed, with Windsor Park emerging as one of the premier Caribbean cricket grounds………” Skerro did say that he wanted Dominica to be a top contender for international cricket. Since the stadium was completed we have had tests and one dayers with great success – crowd wise and a test win.
Skerro’s haters will continue to cry foul. They will not eat the concrete Windsor Park. They will be there by the thousands to enjoy it. But Skerro did work for all of us anyway. So letus enjoy it. Mano congrats and get ready for hard work.
You are such a crass idiot.Do you know that the people of Dominica are paying Skerrit to do a job for them, and he is not doing even morons like you a favour?.
all the best my brothers,we need young minds,lets bring the excitement back to the west indies.
Great article. Congrats gentlemen.
Congrates “flying” keep making possie and the rest of DA proud, I know you can make good things happen. Hats off to yu my padna
great achievement that should be emulated thus far….
Congrats Mano. This is your boy John.
Congratulations!
When will people stop referring to Julian Hunte as Dr. Hunte? The man has an honourary doctorate. This does not entitle him to carry the title.
Croft: “Dave Cameron and Emmanuel Nanthan have much work to do. Let us all wish them well!”
Yes, i wish them well.