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It can be considered a very noble and timely gesture that the Barbados government as a matter of policy will assist the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) in setting up a professional league should it decide to do so.

It is thought, and perhaps rightfully so,that such an iniative will help to improve the standard of cricket with players being able to finetune their skills, technically and mentally, on a fulltime basis.

I don't think we can continue to expect, realistically, that people who have other commitments will be able to compete on a level playing field with those who pursue their discipline with a daily intensity and focus.

In fact, I think there is concensus that one of the reasons our international cricket has fallen flat on its face is because we don't have any of our top players competing in either league or county cricket in England or any in the Australian state cricket as in days of yore. The few we do have are not in line to gain selection because they compete in South Africa and the oppressive eligibility rule counts them out.

So, with foreign options now virtually non existent,there is a need for some radical iniatives in this respect that will reintroduce our players to the daily grind of playing cricket and that it will help to inspire a revival in our flagging fortunes. The solution is internal.

However, while it is good for the individual territorial boards to be thinking along these lines, I think it to be really effective we need a joint approach on the matter.

And if one government has the will to see the process get moving,why should not it be possible for a collective effort from regional governments to get involved for the good of all.

I think they have a moral responsibility to do so.

When Pat Rousseau became president of the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB) in 1996 it was his idea to have retainer contracts for the leading players.

The governments agreed in principle to support the plan but after one year the concept was scrapped after some of them reportedly failed to keep their financial commitments. We need some sincerity.

Cricket can't be seen to be on the frontburner only in talk but action is what is required. The future of a Caribbean professional cricket league will hinge largely but not exclusively on the moral obligation of regional governments to keep their promises in seeing such a venture come on stream and to be sustained thereafter.

Perhaps it will take Prime Minister Owen Arthur to open the batting to put some force and direction in this great cause.

© The Barbados Nation