Holding BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CANA :
FORMER Test fast bowler Michael Holding says the West Indies need to forget about the short-term so that in the future the proper things are in place to get the Caribbean cricketers to the required level.
"We need to pay attention to the preparation of our young players so that they can reach the highest level and, allied to that, to encourage more people in the Caribbean to play the game," wrote Holding in his column "Off The Long Run" in the latest edition of the Red Stripe Caribbean Cricket Quarterly.
Holding noted that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) not only has to find money but provide it to help clubs and schools in the Caribbean, who cannot afford gear or to pay coaches and sports masters.
"Having done that, the WICB has to devise ways and means of identifying the promising cricketers throughout the Caribbean.
"It is vital that talent is harnessed early and that those chosen are kept together under a strict training regime," wrote Holding.
He also said a programme should be "complemented by regular regional tournaments for all age groups to give the players as much exposure as possible."
The ex-fast bowler also called for a regional under-17 competition.
"The introduction of something for the under-17s would make the climb more gradual and help youngsters to progress through the system to under-19, under-23 and then the West Indies," Holding said.
