Public Relations Officer of the West Indies Cricket Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired (WICCBVI) Leroy Phillips said a lack of funding could likely dampen the team’s proposed trip to the fourth edition 40-over World Cup slated for January 7-21 2018 in Dubai.
Phillips told Guyana Times Sport on Thursday that the lack of financial support which has made things difficult for the association over the years, has yet again come back to hurt the team which has already been selected for the soon approaching World Cup, adding that the current position is likely to affect the trip.
“The position for the West Indies team is the lack of funding; the team has already been picked but is facing the challenge of participating in the World Cup. We are looking at US,000 to 0,000 in funds to send them to Dubai in January and the team has to bring themselves in Guyana then travel to Suriname, Amsterdam then Dubai. That is the route and it’s very expensive,” Philips confessed.
West Indies Blind Cricket Council PRO Leroy Phillips is fearful of team not going to Dubai if funds are not raised
Phillips, who is one of five Guyanese in the West Indies team, further admitted that there were no other impending setbacks or hurdles at the moment, but stressed on how the lack of support is and has been limiting the team over the years.
He also pointed out that once the team acquires sponsorship in the days to come, it will help them offset numerous debts. Also, once adequate sponsorship is provided for the team to commence their week-long training camp in December, they can better direct funds towards ensuring their trip to Dubai is a success.
“There are no challenges with the team other than just trying to get sponsorship because Guyana has agreed to the hosting of a training camp in December for one week and if we can get any facilities at a low cost or no cost at all, then it would significantly help reduce the cost we need for the trip in January”, said Phillips.
Meanwhile, the PRO confirmed two new Guyanese faces in the side with; Douglas Tika of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara and Ceon Mitchell of Linden joining Phillips along with Ganesh Singh and Kevin Douglas as the other local players in the side.
West Indies blind 20-man squad: (B1) Leroy Phillips, Ganesh Singh, Douglas Tika (Guyana), Jason Ricketts, Marlon Cole (Jamaica) and Shawn Straker (Barbados). B2s: Gregory Stewart, Alvin James (Jamaica), Ricardo Manning, Kci Ward-Ryan (Barbados) and Seon Mitchell (Guyana). B3s: Lo-Shane Myles, Dennal Shim, Oshane Fortella (Jamaica), Kevin Douglas (Guyana) and Karl Sobers, Halden Ford (Barbados). The team will be coached by Glendon Coke and Managed by Stevenson Evelyn. Carrison Henry is the team’s Physio.
