Women’s regional cricket boss begs for support

ST GEORGE’S: West Indies women’s cricket continues to be affected by a lack of sponsorship, according to Carol Whilby-Maxwell, president of the West Indies Women’s Cricket Federation (WIWCF). Speaking at the closing of the 2003 competition on Saturday, Whilby-Maxwell said she is still disappointed that the senior tournament is without a sponsor. “One of our problems these days in women’s cricket is that we’ve not been able to attract a sponsor for our tournaments and I think that is one of the mitigating factors that has caused our cricket not to be at the level it should,” she said. However, Whilby-Maxwell, who took over the presidency of the WIWCF three years ago, is hoping that potential sponsors may recognise the progress made in women’s cricket in the region. “We’re hoping in the future that when we go through the Caribbean that some company or organisation might recognise and see that women’s cricket is getting to the position that we want it to get and will rally behind us financially.” “In addition, we have written to companies, we’ve sent budgets, we’ve written to governments, we’ve also written to prime ministers within the territories.

How forceful that has been? I’m not sure. I think maybe we could have been a little more aggressive and definitely we’ll have to do that,” Whilby-Maxwell said. A 14-member squad was announced following the 2003 tournament in Grenada on Saturday, with veteran Trinidadian wicket-keeper Stephanie Power selected to captain the team. The West Indies are scheduled to participate in the International Women’s Cricket Council (IWCC) World Cup qualifying tournament from July 21-27 in Holland. The regional side will play alongside Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, Pakistan and Scotland for two spots to the 2005 Women’s World Cup in South Africa.