ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Cricket West Indies yesterday disputed claims by respected cricket website, ESPNCricinfo, suggesting the budget for the office of president Dave Cameron had risen to half-million United States dollars.
In a release, CWI said the budget for the 2018/19 period was actually US$258 263, and only $61 768 had been spent as of January 31.
Further, CWI also refuted the claim in the report that Cameron had asked the board to approve a monthly rise from $2 000 to $10 000, with the board finally agreeing to a monthly stipend of $6 000.
CWI said, however, its Compensation Committee chaired by Anand Kalladeen, had recommended a raise for the president, vice-president and all directors, but the president’s monthly stipend only stood at $4 000.
According to the release, the vice-president’s monthly stipend was US$2 000 while directors received $700.
The board also denied the claim Cameron had recommended an increase for himself.
“In March 2018 the Committee reported to the Board of Directors and recommended an increase of stipends for all directors, including the President and Vice President,” the release pointed out.
“At no time did the President recommend an increase for himself.
“The Board of Directors wishes to reiterate that the President cannot and does not dictate or approve any increase in compensation or stipend for himself or other directors.
“He cannot and does not approve the budgets for his office or CWI. Any suggestion to the contrary is inaccurate and misleading.”
CWI also sought to push back on the Cricinfo’s claim the governing body had “admitted liability” in a legal case brought against them by former head coach Phil Simmons, and now were faced with damages of up to $400 000.
The board in the release argued it had never “denied liability” in Simmons’s dismissal “for no other reason than to ensure an amicable resolution in the interest of West Indies Cricket”.
“The negotiations with the former coach, Phil Simmons and his representatives are ongoing. While we have a hearing date for March 26, 2019, we are hoping to reach a settlement soon,” CWI said.
Trinidadian Simmons was abruptly axed in September, 2016 – just six months after overseeing West Indies’ capture of the Twenty20 World Cup – over what CWI termed “differences in culture and strategic approach”.
Expenditure under Cameron was recently highlighted by former St Kitts and Nevis cabinet minister Ricky Skerritt, who is challenging for the post of president at CWI elections in Jamaica next week.
