GraceKennedy's Don Wehby - FILE
THE CHIEF FINANCIAL Officer (CFO) of GraceKennedy Ltd, Don Wehby, has called for the development of a strong strategic plan and business model for West Indies cricket.
Speaking at the awards ceremony for the 2006-schoolboy cricket season, which was sponsored exclusively by GraceKennedy's Financial Ser-vices Division. Wehby called on all involved in cricket to treat it as a business.
"Cricket and most other sports today must be treated like a business if we (the West Indies) intend to be successful, we need to adopt this business philosophy, not necessarily a moneymaking business, but as an enterprise where the relevant approach, planning and accountability is put in place," he said.
CLEAR VISION
"We must begin by developing a clear vision of how we believe Caribbean cricket should look by 2010 and beyond. We must then create a Strategic Plan, not only at the level of the West Indies Cricket Board, but also at every regional body in the West Indies."
The GraceKennedy CFO went on to explain that all stakeholders, including the Government and the private sector, must agree on these plans as we go forward with the development of cricket within the region.
"As part of the exercise, we need to examine our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats," he said.
As he continued his passionate plea Wehby, lamented that, "we must then create an operating plan where the financial, market-ing, organisational structure and corporate governance are established with clear targets, timelines and who are accoun-table for implementation."
He appealed to local and regional leaders to take the business of cricket seriously. "The business of cricket must be approached like any other business that we undertake in our region. If we do not do this, you can be sure that we will not achieve the level of success that we should, given the talent of our players and the enthusiastic support of the majority of West Indians,' he said.
Wehby's comments were supported by cricket historian and University of the West Indies lecturer, Dr. Christine Cummings, who delivered the main address. Though her thoughts were not aimed at the West Cricket Board or regional leaders, she challenged the youngsters to be entrepreneurs.
"Why aren't the artists and cartoonists among you developing CD's and DVD's to be sold in schools and clubs," she said.
Seventy-four cricketers were awarded for their outstanding performances in the 2006 schoolboy cricket season.
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