Cricket West Indies has released its 2025 Annual Report following its 27th Annual General Meeting, outlining plans to strengthen the future of regional cricket.
President Dr. Kishore Shallow warned that the rapid growth of franchise cricket is impacting player retention and revenue streams, calling for a unified regional response.
“Cricket West Indies is not immune to this reality, as we are already experiencing its effects in areas such as the acquisition of commercial partnerships, player retention, and the negotiation of broadcasting and media rights,” he said.
“Importantly, the International Cricket Council is aware of these dynamics and will inevitably have to play a leading role in addressing a significant global trend, one that poses a long-term challenge to the traditional international game.”
Dr Shallow said the time has come for a greater emphasis on the domestic and regional systems.
“While West Indies cricket represents the pinnacle of achievement, the journey begins much earlier: in our schools, our communities, and our clubs. The entire model of cricket development in our region requires careful re-examination and thoughtful redesign to ensure a stronger and more sustainable pathway for the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, CEO Chris Dehring announced a modernization strategy focused on youth development, restructuring domestic competitions, and upgrading training facilities.
““First, we must attract from much earlier stages of development more of the best male and female athletes in the region, aligning with what obtains in modern professional sport and creating clear, aspirational pathways to professional careers. Second, we must re-engineer our tournament and administrative structures to improve both productivity and financial sustainability. Third, the retooling of the production pipeline with modern training facilities and infrastructure is paramount,” he stated.
CWI says the initiatives are aimed at improving long-term sustainability and boosting the competitiveness of West Indies cricket on the global stage.
