So far, so good!

Undoubtedly, the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association Inc (SVGCA), under the presidency of Kishore Shallow, has done enough for all who followed the sport here for the last two and a half years to be afforded another full fresh mandate.{{more}}

It is a case of one good term deserves another, as Shallow and others, who sought re-election at last Saturday’s Annual General Meeting, were given a stamp of confidence by the affiliate teams and clubs.

Much would have been said about the grouping of men and one woman, back in 2014, when they practically arrested the reins of power of the association; hence their tenure would have come under the microscope, and rightly so.

But they have come through with flying colours and have set about in a systematic way to chart a path for the sport, to keep in touch with modern day requirements and practices.

In doing so, they have sought to address many of the concerns which had plagued the sport over the years, and have achieved this with some measure of success, piecing out and implementing some aspects of the association’s strategic plan and clearing the objectives set out.

The raising of the prize monies for all the divisions of competition, the reduction of the number of teams in the top flight of local cricket, so as to ensure a better quality premier division, are steps which harbour commendation.

The provision of modern day gadgets for more proficient scoring in the premier division, bringing about more reliable players’ statistics, all aid in the development of the sport.

The current executive, from its operations, is decisively trying to carve out a skill set, aimed at not only sustaining the sport at the local level, while endeavouring to produce more players for the Windwards in the first instance and ultimately for the West Indies.

Therefore, the Shallow led executive proposal to set up the Lennox John Cricket Academy, catering for 20 players between the ages of 9 and 19, and staffed with coaches, must be a move which can only better our young cricketers’ prospects of being groomed in a structured setting.

Linked to the academy, is the planned erection of batting cages across St Vincent and the Grenadines and the hosting of period bowling clinics for fast bowlers, all have to be lauded.

Off the field too, there is a sense of adding some panache and class, a must be part of undertakings by the SVGCA Inc.

The continuous efforts to have finals of its competitions garnished with some type of festive atmosphere, move in tandem with the times and are a selling point for the sport.

Likewise, the staging of the recent awards, which was complemented by a gala dinner, and the other trappings, are moves that this column had been clamouring to be explored, but fell on deaf ears.

The vision, the plans, programmes and policies, which are being touted and are being realized, have engendered a hope in cricket in SVG.

But last Saturday’s show of confidence by affiliates must not be embraced as a sign of perfection, but one of satisfaction of your stewardship over the last term.

Be forewarned, that the same unanimous and overwhelming support that voted you into office can be that same force that can act adversely and in a twinkling of an eye, you are hailed, written and spoken of in the past tense.

The executive, therefore, must continue to consolidate its areas of strength and pursue ways of fortifying the weaknesses that have been identified.

The vibrancy and relative youthful disposition of the current executive are springboards to take risks and venture out with more optimism than what occurred with past administrations.

However, this is not a licence to have the wheel of the sport confined to the elected members; picking on the experiences of the elders is equally an integral commodity in doing things with prudence and poise.

In going forward too, the public relations arm of the SVGCA is one area that needs a look in, whereby information should be flowing from its secretariat and from the website and made readily available.

Additionally, a conscious effort to have transparency in the affairs of the organization and regular updates and interfacing with affiliates outside the AGMs are mediums of building trust all round.

And as expressed at last Saturday’s AGM, the current executive has to seek out persons separate and detached from the administration to adjudicate on matters relative to matches and appeals.

The SVGCA Inc is on the right track, so all energies must be expended to keep it that way, as so far, so good.