No ‘special’ welcome for triumphant Under-19 cricketers

The triumphant St Vincent and the Grenadines Under-19 cricket team returned home last Saturday night without any fanfare in recognition of their victory.{{more}}

On hand to greet the 11 players, their coach Olanzo, and manager Parnell Browne were some parents of the lads, three members of the print media and selector Arnold Gilkes.

Notably, no member of the executive of the St Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association was present.

The treatment of the youngsters, who had claimed the Windward Islands tournament for the first time since 2008, has deviated from the norm in recent times.

When Kenroy Peters returned from South Africa in early January, the SVGCA sent a release stating his time of arrival, with an invitation, to the media.

Peters was greeted at the ET Joshua Airport by president of the SVGCA Kishore Shallow, second vice-president Denis Byam and committee member Deighton Butler.

Similarly, swimmer Shne Joachim and sprinter Reuberth Boyde were given VIP treatment when they medalled at their respective sojourns at this year’s Carifta exercises in April of this year.

The same recognition was afforded the national senior men’s football team Vincy Heat on their capture of the Windward Islands Football Association’s competition in St Lucia in May.

Joachim, Boyde and the senior male footballers were toasted by their national associations, along with Minister of Tourism, Sports and Culture Ces Mc Kie.

The SVGCA, however, made a media release dated July 3, through its public relations officer Samantha Abbott-Lynch.

Quoting president of SVGCA Kishore Shallow, the release indicated: “What the under 19 team has achieved here is testimony of hard work and commitment. We were underdogs going into the tournament, especially after losing our best player, Gidron, to the Zouks; the team was quite dispirited, but the management team, and the players still rallied, picked up the pieces, and brought home the championship; truly exceptional.”

The release further stated that Shallow said, “Much credit must go to the young captain Romano Pierre, who handled the team with great maturity. Also, commendations to coach Jackson, manager Browne and all the players for executing plans and being great ambassadors of our association and country. Deighton Butler must also be acknowledged for his astute leadership role in the preparation prior to the departure of the team.”