Kingston (Jamaica), Jan 10 (IANS/CMC): West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) chief Dave Cameron has congratulated former president Julian Hunte for being awarded the Knight Commander of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (KCMG).

The Government of St Lucia recently announced that Hunte is to be knighted for outstanding contribution to the public and private sector in Saint Lucia and the Commonwealth Caribbean community.

Hunte is the third former WICB president to be knighted after the late Clyde Walcott and Wesley Hall.

"Hunte’s service to St Lucia in the realms of politics, sports, diplomacy and government and his service to cricket in the Windward Islands and the West Indies make him unquestionably deserving of this illustrious honour,” WICB chief Cameron said Thursday.

“The West Indies cricket family is extremely proud to salute Hunte as he is set to receive such esteemed recognition for his contribution to sport and society."

Hunte was elected WICB president in 2007 and served until 2013.