GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC):

There has been significant movement on two parts of the West Indies structure which are crucial to the regional team returning to the pinnacle of the game in the world.

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced on Monday that its long-awaited High Performance Centre should become a reality by the middle of the year, at the same time that it also hopes to receive a critical report on the establishment of a professional league.

The regional governing body disclosed that a feature of its board of directors meeting over the weekend was the time spent focusing on cricket matters.

"Accordingly, the board received an update on the establishment of the Academy system for West Indies," said WICB president Julian Hunte.

High Performance Centre

"In particular, the board discussed the financing of the High Performance Centre (HPC) which will be located in Barbados."

Hunte said the HPC will be opened in March with the first intake of attendees expected by the second quarter of the year.

He added that the WICB had taken the initiative to discuss partnerships with regional governments to establish territorial satellite academies.

In this respect, the Guyana, Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis governments have all indicated their interest in working with the WICB to set up territorial satellite academies.

Hunte noted that the partnerships would include the provision of coaching staff and funding of the other agreed-upon needs of the campuses.

Antigua and Barbuda and Trinidad and Tobago have also offered facilities as satellite academy sites.

The WICB also hopes that by June it will have a draft report about the pro league.

"The issue of the professional league was discussed and the board agreed to move to the second phase with the engagement of a consultant to prepare the business and implementation plan," Hunte said.

The WICB chief said the full implementation of a pro league would be completed by next year, with the number and composition of teams to be decided as a means of generating new revenue.

Corporate ownership

The board is considering a number of models, including a franchise system and corporate ownership, while players from outside the Caribbean could also be invited to the competition to enhance the standard of play.

Another major decision that could also impact the game in the region is the decision by the WICB to implement a retainer contract system for umpires.

"The WICB is also looking at an umpires' elite panel, as well as a fast track into first-class and international umpiring for former first-class or international players," Hunte said.

The idea is to develop the standard of umpiring in the region so that at least one umpire under the age of 35 would be standing in each regional match.