Cricket West Indies president, Dr Kishore Shallow believes they have made significant strides in raising the profile of the women’s game over the past year, as he reaffirmed the regional body’s commitment to achieve pay parity by 2027.
Shallow, in a message to mark International Women’s Day on Friday, pointed to the changes in travel for overseas tours, single room accommodation and the launch of a Women’s Cricket Academy in Antigua as measures implemented to bring the women’s game on par with their male counterparts.
“On this International Women’s Day, Cricket West Indies proudly celebrates the remarkable progress we’ve achieved in championing gender equality and empowerment within our cricketing community. Since assuming office, we have embarked on a transformative journey of inclusivity, recognizing and valuing the exceptional contributions of our female athletes,” Shallow said.
“In the past year, we have taken significant strides to ensure gender parity within our ranks. Notably, we announced that members of the West Indies Women’s squads would travel business class for all long-haul international flights and enjoy single-room accommodations for international assignments, aligning with the policies for the men’s teams. This progressive step has led to a substantial increase in the women’s budget, surpassing US$500,000,” he added.
Shallow explained that the launch of the inaugural Women’s Cricket Academy in Antigua, is a pivotal initiative aimed at nurturing and cultivating the immense talent of our region’s female cricketers. He also highlighted the launch of the Women’s A-team programme last year and the increased prize money for the ongoing domestic championships in St Kitts.
For the women’s competitions, the Super50 Cup winners will receive US$20,000 while the T20 Blaze champions will collect US$10,000.
“This investment underscores our unwavering commitment to fostering growth and excellence in women’s cricket, inspiring generations to come,” he declared.
While praising the exploits of women’s captain Hayley Matthew and her accomplishments, which he says, “epitomize the unparalleled talent and potential within our women’s cricket”, Shallow also touched on the pay issue.
“Cricket West Indies remains steadfast in its mission to achieve pay parity by 2027, as outlined in the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding. We are resolute in our commitment to empowering women in cricket and fostering a more equitable and inclusive sporting environment,” he ended. (Sportsmax)
