ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) used the stage of the Worldwide Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual convention, held July 17–20 in Singapore, to put out an bold plan for accelerating the game’s development throughout the Western Hemisphere.
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The gathering, which introduced collectively ICC full members and representatives from cricket associations throughout the Americas—together with the USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Bermuda, and The Bahamas—supplied the proper backdrop for CWI’s sweeping imaginative and prescient of regional unity and growth.
A brand new federation for a rising sport
Central to CWI’s presentation was the proposed institution of La Federación de Críquet de las Américas (FECA), a brand new governing physique designed to formalize relationships, foster collaboration, and create a unified platform for advancing the game all through the Americas.
CWI CEO Chris Dehring declared that West Indies cricket, because the hemisphere’s sole ICC Full Member, is decided to steer this transformation.
“Elevating the game within the wider hemisphere advantages us all,” mentioned Dehring. “By connecting the rising markets within the Americas with our personal established buildings, we are able to effectively create extra competitors, matches and publicity at each stage for each ICC affiliate member nations and nations underneath the aegis of Cricket West Indies.”
Surging recognition throughout the hemisphere
The proposal comes at a time of outstanding development within the area. Brazil now boasts 88,000 registered gamers, greater than half of whom are girls, whereas the US has surged previous 400,000 gamers, together with 53,000 youths engaged in structured packages.
This explosion of participation underscores the urgency—and the potential—of constructing a framework that helps and connects the sport throughout nationwide borders.
Pathways to world levels
CWI additionally highlighted alternatives for regional gamers to entry worldwide platforms, together with qualification pathways for each the Olympic Video games and the Pan American Video games. A marquee initiative underneath dialogue is the creation of an Americas Championship, modeled after cricket’s Asia Cup, the place Caribbean nations might compete individually towards groups from North, Central, and South America.
Dehring emphasised the significance of making certain truthful entry for all nations, significantly as cricket makes its long-awaited return to the Olympic stage.
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“Caribbean nations won’t be sidelined as cricket returns to the Olympics. Our 15 proud nations deserve a good pathway to compete, reflecting the true spirit of inclusion and alternative that the Olympic Video games symbolize.”
Strengthening nations, strengthening the West Indies
Dehring additionally burdened the importance of Caribbean nations competing independently, arguing that the visibility and recognition of nationwide groups would encourage larger governmental funding and fan assist.
“Our particular person nations competing for a spot within the Olympic highlight is a chance for his or her respective Governments to indicate tangible assist for his or her nationwide groups whereas flying their particular person nationwide flags. It’s an unprecedented alternative as a result of constructing stronger nationwide groups will finally end in a stronger West Indies workforce,” he mentioned.
With FECA on the horizon and cricket within the Americas thriving as by no means earlier than, CWI’s name for unity and innovation marks a defining second for the game within the hemisphere.
