A thorny issue: Alleyne now has ball in his court

We could say that with his election to the presidency of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA), the honeymoon he enjoyed as acting president following the death of Sir Conrad Hunte has come to an end for Stephen Alleyne.

He must get down to the serious business of tackling some of the pressing issues in local cricket.

Furthermore he cannot be excused for not having the time to function effectively.

During his acting tenure Alleyne's functioning was affected by other responsibilities which often meant that others, particularly first vice president Owen Estwick, had to deputise for him at important engagements.

In fact, the new president cited the time factor as one of the main reasons he did not want to be considered initially for cricket's top post until he had a belated change of heart and won the subsequent ballot.

One can ask how different things will be in terms of finding time now when it was a major constraint up until recently. The president has stated publicly that he expects some of the burden to be lifted off his shoulders with the appointment of a chief executive officer and a marketing officer.

We hope that this will be done as soon as possible if not only for Alleyne's sake but we must agree that the area of business development needs to move apace with cricket development. Cricket, like all other sports, needs money to help implement the various programmes the BCA sees necessary to keep the game afloat especially among the youth.

However, none of this means that even if the BCA boosts its personnel to help with the day to day running of its affairs that Alleyne will be less accountable for what happens or what doesn't.

Still, I must say that I believe in the sincerity of the president and his ability to run the affairs of the association that will equate it or even supersede the work of his predecessors.

And it is obvious that the large majority of members who voted him in at Sherbourne Centre think so too. And the mere fact that he rethought his earlier stance must mean that he believes in his own ability to get the job done despite his working and and personal commitments. As one of those who respect him as a person he must be given the benefit of the doubt.

The biggest challenge now is to sustain its growth at a time when other sports and activities are seriously competing for the interest of the youth who might have otherwise chosen to play cricket.

But while cricket is still king in terms of social standing it should be noted that others like football, basketball, volleyball, swimming, tennis and athletics are providing financial and educational opportunities for its adherents. This is a development that should not be taken lightly.

While we remark that we have produced greats who didn't have this aid in their development, we must not forget because of the two-sport syndrome of the past (cricket and football) players then would have had more time to practice their art. Social change has made a huge difference in the way things happen and in the way people think.

Cricket being cricket will be carefully scrutnised as it always is and most eyes will be on Alleyne. We are at a stage where the driver can't defer certain responsibilities to others, a fact of life the new president will be wary of.