ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – The Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) has slammed the decision by representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board and Barbados Cricket Association not to attend the regular AGM of the West Indies Cricket, accusing the appropriate bodies of “bringing CWI into disrepute from such ”.
In a strongly worded statement, the LICB said it was “very troublesome, confused and horrified” that the BCA and GCB would have skipped the crucial meeting, leading to it being postponed until April 11 due to a lack of quorum .
The postponement meant that the long-awaited presidential elections could not be held.
“The Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) is sad because of events [Sunday] at the CWI Annual General Meeting (AGM), ”said the LICB, led by veteran administrator Enoch Lewis.
“The absence of representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) at the AGM forced the postponement of the CWI AGM until 11 April 2021.
“The LICB is very troublesome, confused and horrified that the BCA and GCB, who are recognized worldwide for producing some of the greatest cricketers to have played the game, are comfortable brings CWI into disrepute. ”
In a statement on Sunday, the GCB said its main reason for the show was because CWI had “failed to comply with the statutory requirements of the Articles of Association and submitted CWI’s audited financial statement.”
According to the GCB, financial statements should have been sent to shareholders’ bodies 14 days before the meeting for approval by directors, and this was not done “for the first time in decades”.
“Failure to submit the audited financial statement raises serious questions about the accountability, transparency, and management of CWI finances during the tenure of the Skerritt / Shallow administration,” the GCB argued, adding that its representatives were prepared to attend any once-scheduled meeting “Once all requirements and notice periods have been met”.
GCB secretary Anand Sanasie was expected to challenge incumbent Ricky Skerritt for the CWI presidency at the AGM last Sunday with running mate, BCA board member Calvin Hope, about to face vice president Dr Kishore Shallow.
The LICB, however, which has thrown its support behind Skerritt and Shallow, disagreed with the GCB’s claims.
“We are confident that all the processes and procedures have been followed leading up to the AGM, which was attended by all LICB representatives as well as representatives from the Jamaican Cricket Association, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board and Windward Islands Cricket Management Board the meeting and is ready to pursue the improvement of West Indies Cricket, ”said the LICB.
“The LICB hopes that BCA and GCB will attend the AGM scheduled for 11 April 2021 and fulfill their obligations allowing the due process to take place.”
Only eight representatives – two each from the JCA, LICB, TTCB and the WICB – were present for the 10am start of the virtual AGM, without reaching the nine members required for a quorum. According to CWI, subsequent attempts to reach the missing delegates were unsuccessful, leading to the meeting being adjourned at 10:50 am.
CWI said that the GCB and BCA had confirmed attendance 24 hours earlier.
The LICB argued that the latest developments reiterate the need for Skerritt and Shallow to remain in charge of the regional governing body.
“[Sunday’s] The turn of events reinforced this decision proving why Skerritt and Shallow are the only right choice to lead CWI at this time. “