KINGSTON, Jamaica – The West Indies Players’ Association extends heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of former Jamaica women’s cricket coach, Cleon Smith.

Mr. Smith had reportedly been battling a heart condition for some time, but lost that battle on the afternoon of Thursday, May 28, 2020 in Kingston, Jamaica while in hospital. Smith has been a national coach for Jamaica cricket since 2006. Smith’s involvement with the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) goes as far back as 1995, where he worked with the male youth teams and served as a scout. Mr. Smith has eight (8) national titles to his credit.

WIPA Secretary, Wayne Lewis recounts “I remember working with Mr. Smith a few years ago as a national selector. I found him to be a disciplined, dedicated and hard-working coach. He got the best out of a number of his players and quite a few of them transitioned to the senior West Indies team. Mr. Smith’s passing is a massive blow to women’s cricket in Jamaica”.

The WIPA executive, management and staff would like to express sincere condolences to the Jamaica women’s team and the Jamaican cricket fraternity; we pray for peace and strength for his family, friends and colleagues at this time.

-ENDS