CFU accuses Caribbean govts for over-investing in 'dying' cricket

Kingston, June 20 (UNI) 'Cricket', which reigned in the hearts of Caribbean people during the 70's and 80's, has now become a headache for the island nations' governments, as it faces growing criticism from other sporting bodies for over-investing in what they term as 'dying sport'.

President of the Caribbean Football Union's (CFU), Austin 'Jack' Warner has accused the regional govenments of over-investing in cricket and in that process neglecting other emerging sports like football.

''Regional governments had neglected their responsibility to football but had proceeded with building multimillion-dollar stadia to invest in a 'dying sport'.

''I make no apologies for saying to you that cricket, as presently organised, is a dying sport and cricket has to revitalise itself and certain things have to be done to save cricket and governments can't save cricket by building fancy stadia all over the place which they can't maintain and which they say of course that football can use. It is foolish,'' Warner told 'CMC' Sports.

''Many of them (governments) also too are still locked in a time warp of colonialism where they believe that cricket is the answer,'' added Warner, who is also the FIFA vice-president.

UNI