With the Caribbean still reeling from the passage of Hurricane Beryl on Wednesday, one of the foremost regional sports administrators has declared his confidence that the region will withstand this latest challenge and forge ahead bravely.
Between Sunday night and Monday morning, the Category 4 tropical cyclone ripped through the eastern Caribbean, one of the most powerful storms to have ever visited the island chain so early in the Atlantic hurricane season.
On Wednesday, shortly before Jamaica started feeling the effects of Beryl, Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies on Hurricane Beryl, shared his thoughts.
“It is with a heavy heart that I express my deepest sorrow for the devastating impact Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 hurricane, has had on the Caribbean, striking less than forty-eight hours after our region celebrated the successful conclusion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Barbados,” he said. “As a citizen of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, it is especially painful to witness the tragic loss in Union Island and the catastrophic damage to Carriacou and Petite Martinique part of the tri-island state of Grenada.”
Regional cricket has been negatively affected by Beryl. Up to Wednesday morning, flights into St. Vincent & the Grenadines were on hold, with that territory expected to host the CWI Under-19 Men’s Tournament. Several teams’ plans to fly into Trinidad & Tobago for the CWI Under-19 Women’s Tournament were disrupted. And two members of the senior West Indies team were forced to delay their travel to England to link up with the Test squad.
Notwithstanding, the CWI chief struck an upbeat note in the wake of devastation.
“The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl is a stark reminder of the vulnerability our region faces,” reflected Shallow. “The destruction and loss are profound, and the road to recovery will be challenging. However, in the spirit of unity and resilience that characterizes the West Indies, we will rise to meet these challenges head-on.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with our brothers and sisters in Jamaica as Hurricane Beryl approaches, urging all to take necessary precautions.
“Cricket West Indies stands in solidarity with all those affected by this calamity. We pledge our unwavering support. Now more than ever, we must unite and “Rally round the West Indies.” Together, we will rebuild and emerge stronger.”
(Cricket West Indies)
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