West Indian docs want representation in sports

It was a picture that sent shock waves through everyone who saw the back page of last Sunday Sun.

There was the region's batting prince, Brian Lara, on the ground writhing in pain, his elbow visibly damaged. And not a single medical health professional from the Caribbean around to take care of one of the world's best batsmen.

The scene prompted the Caribbean Association of Sports Medicine (CASM) to immediately contact West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president Wes Hall, as well as Roland Holder, secretary of the West Indies Players' Association (WIPA), once again urging those bodies to make sure West Indies teams on tour and at home are provided with proper medical service.

The association also plans to write the Caricom Secretariat on the matter.

When you look at what happened to Lara, it really brings home our point, Dr Adrian Lorde, a former vice-president of CASM, told the Daily Nation yesterday.

He was injured and on the ground, and it was a Sri Lankan physiotherapist who attended to him.

There wasn't a representative from the West Indies to provide medical care, and that should never happen.

In a letter delivered to the WICB and WIPA, the association expressed concern about the health status of the entire team touring Sri Lanka, because of a spate of ailments which have forced players Reon King (hernia) and Leon Garrick (heart arrhythmia) to return home.

The association provided both bodies with a wish-list to improve the West Indies team's medical status.

There is no doubt the team needs a full-time physio, and has for some time now, Lorde said.