West Indies Head Coach Daren Sammy has called on the media to recognise the contributions of the Men in Maroon to the growth and development of international cricket. His remarks came during a recent episode of the Wisden Cricket podcast on YouTube.
Sammy, who coaches the West Indies in all formats, said that teaching cricket is one of the best ways for the Caribbean to connect with its shared history. He highlighted the importance of celebrating heroes from the countries that put the region on the global sporting map.
“I think what I would love is for a greater appreciation for what we’ve done and our contribution to the game,” he said. “I don’t think it is appreciated enough in the world. But from our end, I think there should be a lot more learning and exposure. Because probably some of the guys who are playing now didn’t really get to see that level of greatness.”
“And I’ve challenged our media to create more stories about how great we were, so our next generation could see. Just like when you go to school, you learn and you prepare. So, it’s in their faces to create that type of inspiration. And that is something I’ve always spoken about in the dressing room: understanding what playing for West Indies, what it truly means. Your history, your legacy, where you come from, so you get a better picture of where you have to go. But, I must say, the guys are fighting.”
Sammy also talked about the unique challenges the Caribbean team faces, since it represents several independent nations instead of just one country.
He said this can make team selection and unity harder, but cricket is still one of the few things that brings the region together.
“Everybody has their own island; the people want people from their country to be selected, and part of the responsibility is on me to do that. And you can’t keep everybody happy,” he said.
“It is extremely hard, but these are the challenges and what the job brings and you sign up for. But with that said, cricket still is the only game that puts smiles like that on West Indian faces and changes the mood of the Caribbean when the West Indies team does well.”
Sammy’s comments are not new. They reflect a common message in the Caribbean cricket community, where leaders and legends have often called for more recognition of the West Indies’ historic and ongoing impact on the global game.
Leaders like Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley and West Indies President Kishore Shallow have also called for greater recognition of the West Indies’ role, not just from Caribbean media but from the wider cricket world as well.
In addition to Sammy’s call for more media involvement, Cricket West Indies (CWI) is working to preserve and honour the region’s cricket history. In June 2026, the board announced plans for a modern museum at their new headquarters and campus at Coolidge Cricket Ground in Antigua. This project is part of a larger effort to renew passion for the sport and help the Men in Maroon regain global recognition.
