-despite governance reform dispute
The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) have confirmed their attendance at the February 9, Cricket West Indies (CWI) Special Meeting to vote on proposed amendments to the Articles of Association.
However, both boards have expressed deep disappointment over how the matter has been handled by CWI, questioning the lack of dialogue and transparency in the decision-making process via a joint statement issued last evening.
In the statement, the BCA and GCB said that they have been vocal advocates for governance reform within CWI, citing that they previously tabled suggestions at Annual General Meetings (AGM) aimed at advancing the issue. Their primary concern has been the lack of meaningful discussion and the dismissive approach taken toward their requests for further dialogue.
“We asked for further dialogue but, instead, our concerns were referred to the Integrity & Dispute Resolution Committee,” the joint statement from BCA and GCB outlined. “The committee, chaired by a CWI Director, rejected our position. No committee has the authority to overrule a request of a representative of the shareholders, and furthermore, any Ethics or Integrity or Disputes Committee should be independent and should not be chaired by a sitting CWI Director.”
This latest dispute follows a history of tensions between the two boards and the current CWI leadership regarding governance changes. In 2024, both the GCB and BCA had opposed elements of the governance reform process as recommended by the Wehby report, citing procedural issues and concerns over the concentration of power. Their opposition was particularly strong regarding changes to the tenure of the President and Vice President, which would extend terms from two to three years while allowing a maximum of three consecutive terms.
The BCA and GCB have also raised concerns about the shift in process compared to previous years. CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow had previously chaired two forums before the 2023 and 2024 AGMs, where member representatives could discuss proposed resolutions before voting. However, in this instance, no such forum has been held, and instead, CWI has opted for a direct vote at the Special Meeting.
“Why are we being denied a forum which would allow us to ventilate what we consider to be fundamental to the way forward for CWI? Why the indecent haste?” the statement questioned.
Additionally, both boards have pushed back against the narrative that they are against governance reform. “This is entirely misleading,” the statement asserted. “We have voted in favor of most resolutions, inclusive of some that are now revealing to be questionable.”
Given the lack of direct engagement with CWI, the BCA and GCB have escalated their concerns to the CARICOM Secretary General, outlining their grievances and proposals. They hope the matter will be addressed at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, set for February 19-21 in Barbados.
Despite their dissatisfaction, the BCA and GCB have confirmed that they will attend the February 9 Special Meeting, ensuring their concerns are formally recorded and that they exercise their voting rights accordingly.
“The BCA and GCB will attend the CWI Special Meeting and make our submissions to be minuted and will exercise our vote accordingly,” the statement concluded.
