The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) released a joint statement on Friday explaining their absence from a critical Cricket West Indies (CWI) governance vote earlier in the day.
The meeting, announced on November 13, 2024, was set to discuss structural changes to CWI governance, including term limits for the President and Vice President, enhanced accountability measures, and other reforms to modernize the organization.
The proposals were based on the Wehby Report, commissioned in 2019, which outlined recommendations to improve transparency, accountability, and stakeholder engagement within CWI. Key suggestions included restructuring the Board of Directors, modernizing operations, and enhancing inclusivity.
For the meeting to proceed, the presence of all Full Member shareholders was required. While the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB) attended, Guyana formally indicated it would not participate, and Barbados did not provide a response.
This marked the second time the GCB and BCA have abstained from such meetings, the first instance being in 2021.
In their statement, the GCB and BCA explained their decision:
“There are and were no convincing reasons for BCA and GCB to support the sought changes/amendments to the Articles of the existing Memorandum & Articles of Association. Also, the proposed changes/amendments lack clarity in the form as presented and, for that matter, how they will benefit the Company in consideration of its multiple stakeholder base.”
The BCA noted it had previously submitted structural proposals on two occasions without receiving a response.
“Previously, at the twenty-fifth CWI Annual Meeting of Members, held on 23rd March 2024, the BCA proposal was to stop the infighting through electioneering at CWI, and said proposal was supported by GCB.
“The current system for electing a President and Vice President provides for horse-trading and nepotism. The CWI proposed amendments do not include the BCA/GCB proposal as an option for members to discuss or vote on. CWI continues to ignore the voices of its shareholder reps and Full Members.”
The GCB and BCA also rejected aspects of the Wehby Report, arguing that its recommendations sought to “relinquish power from the territorial boards” and citing “recent decisions at CWI” as further justification.
Proposals in the Wehby Report included extending the fixed terms for the President and Vice President from two to three years, limiting them to two terms, and reducing the number of directors from territorial boards from two to one. It also suggested appointing three additional directors via a nomination process, with two of those directors being women.
“In recent years, the Secretariat of the Company has on occasions, either forgot or ignored or failed to acknowledge the historical status of and the contribution made by its Full Members. Without want of curtailing zeal beyond boundaries, such habitual culture must reverse in the interest of progress,” the statement concluded.
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Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
