ST JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – West Indies Cricket president Ricky Skerritt has vanished in his opponents’ “antiquated, self-centered, and conflicted minds” in the upcoming elections and says the March 28 horizon will be an opportunity for the cricket fraternity think seriously ”about the quality of leadership he wanted to take forward.
In formally announcing his bid for re-election along with running a friend, vice president Dr Kishore Shallow, Skerritt said his team was focused on continuing “to combat the politics of a small boardroom and territorial isolation” which he described as “Two of the greatest enemies” Threatening the development of the sport regionally.
Skerritt and Shallow are being challenged by CWI director and Guyana Cricket Board secretary Anand Sanasie and Barbadian cricket administrator Calvin Hope.
“Some people seem to think that the CWI boardroom is a form of Parliament where their sole job is to oppose or resist any decision that does not directly benefit them individually,” Skerritt said in a statement late Monday.
“Unfortunately, both of our election opponents are strong opponents of that same old, self-centered and conflicted mentality.
“This CWI 2021 leadership election gives cricket lovers another chance to think seriously about who is best suited to champion the larger cause of West Indies Cricket, at this critical time.”
Prior to the elections, Skerrit and Shallow have developed an “upgraded” Ten Point Cricket First Plan, in a step that aims to address the challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic- wide.
In 2018, the Cricket First Plan underpinned the duo’s bid to unseat then incumbent president Dave Cameron and vice president Emmanuel Nanthan, and Skerritt said the upgraded version would ensure CWI’s transformation continues.
“Two years ago, the Skerritt-Shallow partnership introduced our Ten (10) Point ‘Cricket First’ Scheme, which has become the umbrella of our stewardship,” noted Skerritt.
“As we approach the completion of a challenging but very productive first season, we’re upgrading that plan.
“We are proud of the many transformational changes already taking place at CWI based on that exact plan, some of the points are now self-sustaining in their implementation, but some points still need our immediate attention.
“We are therefore pleased to inform the Caribbean public that we will seek re-election to a second term in the offices of CWI President and Vice President based on an updated Ten Point plan.”
Items outlined on the upgraded plan include the increased exposure of a player development category that embraces the emerging under-23 and A-team players, along with the development of Coolidge Cricket Ground as the hub of the regional high performance system.
In terms of funding, the scheme is targeting increased support to territorial boards and deepening cooperation with the Caribbean Premier League to achieve “cricket and commercial outcomes desired by both sides”.
Skerritt and Shallow have been nominated by the Leeward Islands Cricket Board and Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, both of which nominated them two years ago.
Skerritt further stated that they were confident of re-election having also received “formal advice of support” from the Windward Islands Cricket Board and the Jamaican Cricket Association, and reiterated that he and Shallow were “most suitable” to continue to lead CWI.
“The Skerritt-Shallow leadership has therefore set the stage for CWI to further strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders, particularly the territorial boards, to build and sustain a modern cricket-centric organization, with a cricket system that will produce a more informed, confident and cricketers ready for battle, ”Skerritt emphasized.