ST. JOHN’S, Antigua — With the eyes of the investment world fixed on Antigua and Barbuda, Cricket West Indies (CWI) emerged as a bold voice for regional transformation at the 25th Annual Citizenship by Investment and Investment Migration Conference (CIS25).
Representing CWI were President Dr. Kishore Shallow and Chief Executive Officer Chris Dehring, who presented cricket not merely as a sport—but as a vehicle for strategic, sustainable development across the Caribbean.
Held in the presence of an esteemed audience that included Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit of Dominica, and Grenada’s Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, CIS25 proved to be a high-level convergence of investment visionaries and policy architects.
Alongside Chairman Ricky Skerritt and General Manager Nelecia Yeates, the CWI leadership seized the opportunity to outline its evolving role in shaping the Caribbean’s economic future. At the core of their message: cricket’s transformation from cultural icon to investment engine.
“Cricket has always been more than just a game in the Caribbean – it’s an identity, a brand and a global asset,” asserted CEO Dehring during a distinguished panel on sport and sustainable development. “But now it represents also a significant platform to attract regional investment… particularly from East Asian and North American markets where interest is vibrant.”
Coolidge Cricket Ground: A blueprint for sport-led growth
The cornerstone of CWI’s presentation was the redevelopment of Coolidge Cricket Ground (CCG) in Antigua—unveiled as a flagship investment opportunity. Envisioned as a vibrant, multi-use complex, CCG is set to fuse cricket with culture, commerce, and innovation, creating a regional landmark with global resonance.
“Our aim is to turn Coolidge into more than a cricket venue – we see it as a dynamic, multi-use development hub,” said Dehring. “With the right partnerships, this project can be a blueprint for how sport can drive meaningful investment.”
CWI is actively integrating the potential of the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme into the financing and strategic design of CCG. The concept is both ambitious and timely: leveraging West Indies cricket’s international visibility to attract capital that fuels infrastructure, drives job creation, and supports broader economic resilience.
“Every year we broadcast cricket from the region to millions of viewers worldwide,” Dehring noted. “Many of them could find the CBI programme compelling if presented through the right sporting lens.”
A vision shared by regional leadership
President Dr. Kishore Shallow echoed these sentiments, championing CBI as a catalyst for cricket and community alike.
“The Citizenship by Investment programme offers a valuable pathway for attracting meaningful investment into cricket and other areas of regional development,” Dr. Shallow emphasized. “It provides an opportunity to connect global capital with our ambitions to grow the game and strengthen the Caribbean’s economic landscape.”
He further underscored the significance of regional unity on display at CIS25: “The level of engagement from regional leaders at CIS25 reflects a shared commitment to progress. With this kind of unified interest, we can consolidate our efforts and create greater economic opportunities for all Caribbean people.”
Cricket as a catalyst: A regional imperative
By spotlighting cricket as a regional asset with global appeal, CWI reaffirmed its dedication to forward-thinking partnerships and its role in championing innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity in the Caribbean economy.
The message from Antigua was clear: West Indies cricket is no longer just about the past—it’s about forging a future where sport ignites investment and shapes prosperity.
