ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The governance structure of the West Indies Cricket Board will come under review once again, this time as a joint initiative of the WICB and CARICOM.
In a joint statement yesterday, the two entities said they had agreed to set up a panel comprising eminent Caribbean persons, to examine the problem-plagued structure with the view of “reversing the current negative trends in the sport and its governance.”
The move is the latest attempt to arrest a worrying trend of crises in the regional administration of the game, and was agreed upon during last Monday’s high level meeting between the WICB and the CARICOM Cricket Governance Committee held in Grenada.
That meeting was attended by CARICOM chairman, the Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie, CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin La Rocque and three Prime Ministers – St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Grenada’s Dr Keith Mitchell and Antigua and Barbuda’s Gaston Browne.
Dr Mitchell, who chairs CARICOM Cricket Governance Committee, said the latest move was important in advancing cricket in the region.
“We were able to meet with the Directors of the WICB to express the view of the necessity for change and I think we have reached a conclusion in that respect…which will chart the way forward,” Dr Mitchell said.
“We will be working together with the WICB and all concerned to move West Indies cricket forward.”
WICB president Dave Cameron also attended the meeting along with vice-president Emmanuel Nanthan, chief executive Michael Muirhead, corporate secretary Verlyn Faustin and the board’s directorship.
Cameron, who fended off heavy criticism of his leadership to gain re-election last month, said there was a mutual understanding of what was required to address the issues in West Indie cricket.
“I think the meeting was very productive and very positive. We have agreed on a way forward,” the Jamaican said.
“I think we have a shared vision and all of us want to see West Indies perform at the highest standard. We are committed to making this happen.”
According to the joint statement, the panel will comprise a member of the legal profession, a legendary West Indies cricketer, a regional academic, someone from within the private sector and an individual with a keen understanding of the WICB.
Dr Mitchell and Cameron will consult on the relevant individuals to fill these roles and will also ratify the panel’s terms of reference when they are drafted by La Rocque.
The panel will have a lifespan of three months from the start of the review and is expected to submit its findings within that time.
“Upon receipt of the report, both sides are intent on collaborating with each other with a view to reversing the current negative trends in the sport and its governance,” the joint statement said.
The WICB has come under fire in recent months for their handling of the abandoned tour of India, which saw the Windies one-day team walk out of the six-match limited overs series last October.
That action forced the cancellation of the subsequent three-Test tour and resulted in the Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) lodging a US$42 million compensation claim, while also threatening legal action.
