By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Thursday 18th July 2024)- Well-known social and political commentator Dwyer Astaphan has lauded Kittitian cricketer 23-year-old Mikyle Louis, expressing his belief that he has the potential to become the West Indies team captain within the next five years.
Astaphan’s praise and prediction were shared in his latest opinion piece on Wednesday 17th July 2024, having applauded the young athlete’s recent test match debut at Lords. Pointing to Louis’ scoring of 27 runs, which was top score in the first innings and 14 in the second, he remarked: “I was impressed with his technique and composure, and I’m confident that God willing, he will grow into an excellent international batter.
I’m also impressed with him in front of the microphone. This is obviously a sensible, articulate, well-measured and gracious young man. A well-prepared young man, and I believe he can be the West Indies captain in five years’ time.” Astaphan highlighted the historic significance of their selection of to Mikyle’s and his brother 28-year-old Jeremiah Louis.
“West Indies was awarded test status in 1928 and St. Kitts cricket and our people were kept in the wilderness for 96 years before we would get our first test. And when we got one, we got two-the Louis brothers. Mikyle is the first selection and Jeremiah is the second, and Mikyle is the first to play in a test match.
And look where he made his debut last at Lords, the most famous cricket venue on the planet. He scored 27 runs, which was top score in the first innings and 14 in the second.” According to him: “Praise, appreciation and honor and – LOCAL NEWS – respect are due to him and Jeremiah and to their parents and the other persons who’ve been there for them over the years, guiding them along,” he said.
The commentator also pointed out the broader implications of their achievements for the nation, calling for greater recognition and support for high achievers in all walks of life. He lamented the lack of sufficient honor and appreciation for past and present sports heroes and other prominent figures in the community, urging a change in how the nation commemorates and supports its talent.
“Mikyle’s achievement has been recognized by the government in the form of a cash grant, I’m told, a piece of land and having a stand or a section of a stand at Warner Park named in his honor. I don’t know what the government has in store for Jeremiah and for others to come, because I’m told that over the next four to five years, we can see two or three more Kittitians getting onto the West Indies team.
This achievement by the Louis brothers with their strong family support structure provides a classic example. He continued: “First, of the importance of responsible and purposeful parenting and guardianship in the molding and development of our young people.
Second, of the benefits that flow not only to the children of the family, but also to the entire nation. And third, of the need for decision makers and for ourselves, the people, to do all that we can to encourage and facilitate positives in our children and strong and purposeful family and other social structures in our society.
He went on to emphasize the need for a holistic approach to nurturing and honoring talent. “This is the foundation for the development of a nation, the cornerstone of the sustainable island state that we claim that we want in St.
Kitts and Nevis. And as we reflect on the success of the Louis family, as we reflect on the feast that they have provided for us, after 96 years of undeserved famine, and as we reflect on the honor and the joy that they have brought to us all, I also wonder how many other talented young people may have missed out on high achievement over the years because they were not brought up in a sufficiently supportive and molding home and broader community.” Front Page Photo: Kittitian cricketer 23-year-old Mikyle Louis of the West Indies team (credit: espncricinfo. com) 3
