The five member Cricket Review Panel appointed by the CARICOM Sub-committee of Cricket Governance, says an outmoded governance structure which does not make issues of transparency and accountability priority, are among the reasons responsible for their decision to call for the immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board.
“It is the Panel’s view that the existing governance mechanisms do not provide an appropriate environment and framework to address the changes and challenges within the game of cricket, and the business of cricket. “The outmoded governance structure does not prioritize accountability and transparency,” the panel which comprised Eudine Barriteau (Chair),
and members Sir Dennis Byron, Dwain Gill, Deryck Murray and Warren Smith, concluded in their report.
The panel also recommended the appointment of an interim board to run the sport, during the period of the dissolution of the WICB.
“The issues confronting the governance and administration of cricket, exceed the dynamics of the game on the field of play and its effect on the psyche of Caribbean people.
“In this regard, the Panel strongly recommends the immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board and the appointment of an Interim Board whose structure and composition will be radically different from the now proven, obsolete governance framework,” stated the panel in its report.
According to the panel, the present system of governance provides for accountability to the shareholders of the WICB only.
“The private company structure invites concerns of the role of the WICB as an institution for delivering a public good, West indies Cricket, because in its delivery, the WICB relies on the inputs and active involvement of multiple stakeholders, while the current governance structure provides for accountability to its shareholders only, excluding other classes of stakeholders that are essential to the delivery of West Indies cricket,” the report stated.
According to the panel, accountability and transparency are key measures that are necessary for the transformation and modernization of the sport.
“All other recommendations depend on these recommendations being implemented. The transformation of the governance and administrative framework is necessary to improve conditions affecting all players,” the report noted.
Pointing out that they built on in some instances on the reports of the Patterson and Wilkins sub committees the panel praised those two bodies for their work.
“The Panel wishes to acknowledge the considerable body of work already completed in the area of governance, first, under the chairmanship of the Most Hon. P. J. Patterson and then under Mr. Charles Wilkin – the Patterson and Wilkin Reports – and the far-reaching recommendations these Reports offered. The Panel supports and, in some cases, builds some of its own recommendations on the sterling contributions made available to the WICB, Territorial Boards, and Caribbean public in those reports.
The panel’s conclusion that the governance system of West Indian cricket has outlived its capacity to effectively deliver the game and manage the business of cricket, is borne out by the state and status of West Indies Cricket,” it noted.
