Dear Editor,
In 2013 during the 34th Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, Prime Minister of Grenada, The Right Honorable Keith Mitchell MP PC, stated “the need for the West Indies Cricket Board to further democratize its operations and make more transparent its dealings. Cricket, we understand, is a big business; but for us in the region, it is even bigger than that. It is a genuine means of cultural expression of our people.”
In 2015 the Final Report of the CARICOM Cricket Review Panel on the Governance of Cricket stated “The Panel Recommends the Creation of a New Governance and Management Architecture for West Indies Cricket” and “In this regard, the Panel strongly recommends the immediate dissolution of the West Indies Cricket Board and the appointment of an Interim Board whose structure and composition will be radically different from the now proven, obsolete governance framework”.
The Panel states that this is a fundamental and foundational requirement. These two, key measures are absolutely necessary to transform and modernize the governance, management, administration and the playing of the game.
All other recommendations depend on these recommendations being implemented.” Former CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY Chairman, The Honorable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was one of the persons interviewed by the Cricket Review Panel. After the most recent embarrassment, a series whitewash at Home against 9th ranked Bangladesh for Christmas in T20 and continuing a series of disappointments like not qualifying for the 2023 Cricket World Cup nor the 2017 or 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, West Indies Cricket should be accountable for disappointing and saddening the millions of home-based and away supporters.
Sincerely,
Ishmael Tarouba
