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Clive Lloyd calls for financial fairness in global cricket

by Barbados Today
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One of the icons of Caribbean cricket has demanded that the International Cricket Council (ICC) make redress to the West Indies for what he deems to be financial inequity. Sir Clive Lloyd made the call on Sunday, during the 47th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

During the course of that meeting in Grenada, the Guyanese legend was bestowed the region’s highest honour, the Order of the Caribbean Community (OCC). Sir Clive Lloyd led the West Indies to back-to-back World Cup glory in 1975 and 1979. Sir Garfield Sobers, Sir Vivian Richards, and Brian Lara are other cricketers who were previously given the OCC.

The 79-year-old praised fellow stalwarts, Sir Frank Worrell and Lance Gibbs, for helping inspire him to play for the West Indies, whom he would lead to their first global title in 1975 He thanked the CARICOM leaders for not only their recognition of his feats, but their acknowledgment of cricket’s value as a binding agent for the Caribbean people.

“I would like to commend you, ladies and gentlemen, for your imaginative leadership as you tirelessly pursue economic integration and sustainable development, ultimately to improve the quality of life for everyone, not only in this region, but to extend our positive influence beyond our sun drenched shores.

“At this juncture I’m compelled to recognize your astuteness in identifying our beloved sport of cricket as a viable vehicle and conduit for social economic development and regional integration.”

Sir Clive swiftly reinforced the importance of the gentleman’s game to regional development, citing the words of late Jamaican Prime Minister and OCC recipient, Michael Manley, in his 1988 book A History of West Indies Cricket.

He told the gathering that amongst his knighthoods, honorary doctorates, and national honours, the OCC will hold “pride of place.”

With Cricket West Indies president Dr Kishore Shallow in attendance, however, Sir Clive pivoted to address the vexing question of the ICC’s revenue distribution model. He claimed that when West Indies were at their zenith, there was no financial reward for the regional board. Now that the global game is on a sounder fiscal footing, he argues, it is time for the Windies to get their fair share.

“Over the years in our ascendancy we did not ask for any extra money,” he asserted. “But now I’m told when they have distribution of funds at the ICC, England receives $180 million, Australia $180 million, India $180 million, and we are $80 million. I want to know, where do they get this disparity?

“Because when we were leading, everybody wanted to play – we were playing two tours in the winter. We were the cash cow for these guys. But now that we might be a little down in the dumps, nobody now is saying, well you know West Indies do need some help.

“And I think that it’s about time that our board men make a special call to the ICC. Send 10 or 12 people who we know have the pull, and that extra that is needed, to tell them that we need some special dispensation.”

Sir Clive pointed out that the financial imbalance has always been there, even when West Indies were winning, but that it is worse now that more money is coming into cricket. He also called for a CARICOM Day of Cricket, which he feels can help the regional organisation raise funds to help mitigate against the ravages of the Atlantic hurricane season.

(TF)

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