West Indies Cricket Board chief executive, Dr Donald Peters. - file

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC)

Stressing the future of West Indies cricket was with the youth, West Indies Cricket Board chief executive, Dr Donald Peters, said Wednesday the regional team was aiming to be on top of world cricket again by 2012.

He made the comment during the launch of the CLICO International Under-15 cricket series at the Queen's Park Oval.

"The future is in our young people. The future is in this tournament which CLICO is financing," Peters said.

"The future is in our determination that in five years we will once more be at the pinnacle, the very top of world cricket. This is the future and this global tournament that CLICO is sponsoring is a major milestone in that journey to success."

Peters added: "If we ignore our youth, we do that at our own peril. If we ignore our legacy, we do that at our own peril. Cricket and youth are extremely perishable products. They need to be carefully managed to be nurtured and be loved.

"We have imposed our brand of cricket on the world and must continue to do so. We play with panache, with heart and soul and create excitement wherever we go.

That is our heritage, our legacy and our task for the years ahead."

Peters added that young cricketers needed to see themselves earning a living from playing cricket and view it as a job.

"Our young people must understand that there is a future for them in cricket, a bright and a prosperous future. The average member of the West Indies team earned US$200,000 for the World Cup alone.

"Each Trinidad player at the Stanford tournament earned at least US$50,000."