Cricket West Indies CWI President Dave Cameron has given the assurance that in spite of the prevailing financial challenges, there will be no cutting back on its development Programmes.

He was speaking at the CWI/west Indies players association Wipa Awards ceremony Wednesday night at Hilton Barbados.

Cameron said he was happy to welcome the touring Sri Lankans to Barbados, but said he would be more delighted if the west indies go on to notch a rare series victory next week in the three-match series.

He said a study conducted by the federation of international cricketers associations (FICA), the global players’ representative body, reflected the rise of the professional game in the Caribbean.

The study showed that the West Indies now had 177 professional cricketers, Australia 183, England just over 500 and India, just under 700.