CWI, GCB/BCA at loggerheads over no-show at meeting

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has taken issue with the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) over the absence of these two national boards at its recent directors meeting.
Below are full statements from all entities involved in this issue, detailing their respective positions on the matter.

The CWI position
“Cricket West Indies (CWI) regrets to announce that a quorum was not met for today’s pivotal meeting on governance reform, as the representatives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) failed to attend, having opted not to appoint two representatives as required by the company’s Articles of Association.
Guyana formally indicated their non-attendance, while Barbados did not provide a response.

This marks the second time that both the GCB and BCA have opted not to attend a meeting of the members, the first instance occurring in 2021. All other Full Member shareholders: from Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB), Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), and Windward Islands Cricket Board (WICB), were present and prepared to proceed.
CWI President Dr. Kishore Shallow expressed disappointment over the absence of these two key shareholders, stating, “It is deeply disappointing that representatives from Guyana and Barbados did not see the importance of being present at this crucial juncture for the future of West Indies cricket. Governance reform is critical to ensuring our organization’s growth, sustainability, and ability to inspire pride across the region. This moment required unity and collaboration, and their absence undermines the collective effort required to move forward.”
The meeting was convened to vote on implementing governance reforms proposed by the Wehby Report, which aims to modernize CWI’s governance framework. Due notice for this meeting was issued on November 13, 2024, in accordance with CWI’s Articles of Association.

This session was expected to address significant proposals, including adjustments to introduce term limits, the term durations for the President and Vice President, and other measures designed to strengthen CWI’s governance structure.
Commissioned in 2019, the Wehby Report outlines a comprehensive roadmap to improve CWI’s governance through measures that promote transparency, accountability, and alignment with global best practices. While progress has been made, implementation has faced delays, including those caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key recommendations include restructuring the Board of Directors, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and modernizing operational practices.
President Shallow emphasized the urgency of these reforms by adding, “This meeting was not just about structural changes; it was about safeguarding the future of cricket in the Caribbean. Change is never easy, but it is absolutely necessary. We must demonstrate to the cricketing world and our stakeholders that we are committed to improving and evolving as an organization.”
CWI remains committed to the governance reform process, and will explore all options to ensure the necessary steps are taken to implement the Wehby Report recommendations. President Shallow reaffirmed CWI’s resolve, noting: “The responsibility to lead and inspire rests with all of us. While today’s outcome is a setback, it will not deter us from our mission to transform West Indies cricket. I encourage all stakeholders to prioritize the greater good of the game, and come together to ensure we continue to build an organization that every Caribbean citizen can be proud of.”
CWI will now give members the opportunity to respond to the proposed resolutions in writing.”

GCB-BCA joint statement
“This Statement is issued by BCA and GCB, as two (2) Full Members of CWI, in consideration of the requirement for them to have representatives of each present at the aforementioned time and place at a meeting set to be convened by the Board of the Company for such persons carrying that capacity to vote on the resolution given by the Notice to amend the existing Articles of Association of the Company to extend the fixed term of office of the President and Vice President of the Company from two (2) to three (3) years in the form sought by the Board of Directors of CWI.
We have previously tabled our counter-proposal to have a rotational President and Vice President, as well as a long-term development plan.
TAKE NOTICE of the absence of BCA and GCB to participate and exercise the rights as Full Members of CWI at the above-mentioned CWI Special Meeting of its Full Members, for reasons set out below:-
BCA and GCB agree that-
1. 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.
2. 3. The BCA submitted proposals on two occasions to CWI, with the latter not even 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 BCA and GCB rejected the Wehby Report on the basis that it seeks to relinquish power from the territorial boards, and is further seen given recent decisions at CWI. The repetitive meetings under the guise of corporate governance reform attempt to bring parts of said Wehby Report which were previously rejected.
4. 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.
5. The mandate to provide and maintain an independently operated dispute mechanism for complainants, as required by certain existing Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (“the M&AA”) of the Company, the Code of Ethics of International Cricket Council (“the Code of Ethics of ICC”), and the Code of Ethics of the Company and the Terms of Reference thereto.”
The GCB on Saturday further released another statement regarding the matter, titled ‘GCB clarifies December 6 Proposed CWI Members Meeting. Only Two Amendments were on the Agenda’.
That statement read, “We were quite flummoxed to read the verbose response from
Cricket West Indies (CWI) on the subject of governance changes being promoted by CWI.
The two (2) proposed amendments that were to be tabled by CWI at the aborted meeting of December 06, 2024 were:
1. To increase the term in office of the President and the Vice President from two (2) years to three (3) years with a further amendment that they can serve for three (3) consecutive terms.
2. Introduction of a new article within the CWI Constitution that a nomination cannot be withdrawn save by a notice in writing by the nominee himself/herself.
We maintain our stated position that the proposed amendments are self-serving and cannot and will not change the many issues affecting West Indies cricket both administratively and on the field of play.
Verily we are convinced and have proposed the introduction of a rotating (presidency) and a long-term cricket development plan as a positive and sustainable solution to the debilitations within the administration of Cricket West Indies.”