This was emphasised yesterday by Dr Bhoendradatt Tewarie executive director of the UWI Institute of Business as he delivered the feature address at the closing ceremony of the NorTel All Stars Under-19 West Indies team week long workshop at the Hotel Normandie, St Ann's.
Tewarie described it as ridiculous to have someone who has the potential to be a West Indian fast bowler digging ditches or doing some menial jobs for a living somewhere in the country.
He pointed out that in no other part of the world would such a practice be condoned. ``Sport in all parts of the world is big business and therefore cricket in the West Indies must change with the times if we are to forge ahead,'' he said.
The workshop which began last Monday was conducted by the UWI Institute of Business in collaboration with the West Indies Cricket Board.
The the main objective was to assist in the overall development of young cricketers.
The programme also focussed on The Management of stress and anxiety and the development of the team's intellectual competence.
The ceremony was chaired by Alloy Lequay Chairman Human Resource Development of the WICB.
Also in attendance were Gus Logie coach of the West Indies youth team, Jai Leladharsingh Marketing Manager UWI Institute of Business as well as Laila Valere Resident Consultant UWI Institute of Business and co-ordinator of the workshop.
The NorTel All Stars team comprised:
Ricardo Powell captain (Jamaica) Christopher Gayle (Jamaica) Daren Ganga (T&T) Sylvester Joseph (Antigua) Antonio Mayers (Barbados) Steve Massiah (Guyana) Matthew Sinclair (Jamaica) Lalchan Persaud (Guyana) Kishore Lalchan (T&T) Asif Jan (T&T) Kerry Jeremy (Antigua) Rayon Smith (Jamaica) Navin Chan (T&T) Stephen John (St Vincent) Hezron Lawrence (St Vincent).