THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE INEPTITUDE of one, some, or all the parties who bungled the arrangement for this season of sponsorship for West Indies cricket has only confirmed what many of us have studied and known by experience. Indeed, retired cricketers know cricket, but are not necessarily good managers.
Management and the game are different domains, and we hope that the WICB, the players' association and the players now embroiled in this brouhaha could recognise this truth sooner rather than later.
We must suppose that the board is advised by lawyers and analysts. Therefore, we cannot help but marvel that two rival telecommunication companies could have been brought together the way it has been done. I know that I speak for many who continue to ask whether or not the sponsorship could not have been cut into three, four or perhaps even five packages that would make participation financially easier to companies who could buy a slice (package), but not the whole hog.
It is unreasonable to expect that the newcomer Digicel, who ate heavily into Cable and Wireless' market share as their business strategy would displace them and get away without a fight. In the meanwhile, West Indies cricket is grabbed by the neck and will choke if either is unwilling to yield.
I am, etc.,
STEAD M WILLIAMS
sweng@cwjamaica.com
Stony Hill,
Kingston 9
