Sanasie withdraws from race for the CWI Presidency 

…says new GCB executive is illegal

In a surprising twist of events on Thursday, former Guyana Cricket Board Secretary Anand Sanasie has announced that he would be withdrawing his bid for the Cricket West Indies (CWI) Presidency.
“After deep reflection and consultations with my advisors, I have decided to withdraw my candidacy for Presidency of CWI. I will shortly write to the Corporate Secretary to advise her accordingly.

“Consequently, I take this opportunity to extend congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Ricky Skerritt, since he will be uncontested,” Sanasie wrote in an official missive.
The recently ousted GCB Secretary’s withdrawal, however, did not come without a number of objections since he expressed his concern about the current state of the CWI and the Guyana Cricket Board.
“Following recent developments, I have reassessed my candidacy for the position of the President of Cricket West Indies (CWI). I remain deeply concerned at the manner in which events unfolded recently both at the Cricket West Indies level and at the level of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).”
The statement went on to allege, “At CWI, there was an attempt to hold an Annual General Meeting and Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections without critical requirements outlined by the Articles of Association being complied with. This attempt, until it was thwarted at the last minute, remains cause for serious concern by those who have an interest in good governance of CWI.
“A major scandal was averted by the judicious and prudent actions of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and the Guyana Cricket Board to save CWI global embarrassment and ridicule.

“Even though I was personally aware of the likely consequences at my home base, doing the right thing was never a question for me or the GCB.”
Sanasie’s qualms over the GCB came in tandem with his position on the election that was conducted on Monday last, which resulted in the ascension of Bissoondyal Singh as President.
On this matter, he claimed the agenda was pushed by Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Charles Ramson Jr., whom he also believes had meddled at the level of the Regional body.
“Unjust, irregular, imprudent and hasty actions taken by the partisan and compromised Minister of Sport in Guyana, Mr. Charles Ramson Jr, have led to dubious GCB elections being held and a new group purporting to be the new executive installed.
“I am advised by my legal team that those elections cannot withstand judicial scrutiny, which may arise and which have every possibility of prevailing.
“It should also be noted that the court-ordered Demerara Cricket Board election is very likely to be set aside.
Prior to the GCB elections, Minister Ramson had three meetings with the CWI President and a select group of Directors, from which the GCB-nominated Directors were excluded despite their objection on the one occasion when they were aware of the meeting.
“The actions of Minister Ramson at all material times were deeply partisan and prejudicial in favour of those who seek control of the GCB for political and personal purposes, and (were) clearly intended to give my opponent an advantage in the CWI Elections.
“The Minister’s unpatriotic action supported and enabled my opponent to undermine my candidacy.”
The remainder of Sanasie’s missive went on to state, “Consequently, I take this opportunity to extend congratulations and best wishes to Mr. Ricky Skerritt, since he will be uncontested. I urge that more deliberate efforts be made to strengthen the finances of CWI, and to improve in the areas of prudent fiscal management, accountability and transparency.
“I also urge that greater respect be accorded to Territorial Boards, and that there is considerably more inclusivity in executive decision-making and corporate governance.
“I also extend a special thank you to Mr. Hope for his work and dedication to this campaign, and certainly for answering the call to serve.
“Finally, I personally extend heartfelt thanks to the many persons in Government, across Guyana, throughout the Caribbean and further afield who supported my candidacy, and the team of persons who worked tirelessly behind the scenes on my campaign.
“I thank the GCB and BCA for reposing confidence in my leadership and nominating me, and all the Directors and friends of CWI who encouraged me to contest. I remain in service to cricket, as has been a lifelong dedication, and I will continue to fight against any political control of the GCB.”
Additionally, Sanasie’s running mate, Barbados Cricket Association’s Calvin Hope, also issued a statement on his and Sanasie’s behalf.
That missive read: “Given the unfortunate circumstances leading up to and recent events in Guyana regarding the Guyana Cricket Board, one of the six (6) Full Members of CWI, together with the refusal by the leadership of CWI to uphold the highest standards, long-standing traditions and rules for governing the administration of West Indies Cricket, we, Anand Sanasie and Calvin Hope, having distanced ourselves from such action of CWI, have decided to withdraw our respective candidacies for President and Vice President in the CWI election scheduled to take place at CWI 22nd Annual General Meeting on 11th April, 2021.
“We, however, wish to express gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board and the Barbados Cricket Association for nominating and supporting us to run for the respective positions in CWI.
“Our gratitude is also extended to our advisors, supporters and the various news Media and the CWI Full Member Territorial Boards for the time and interest given to us during the past weeks, and for the positive reviews of our Future-Proof – Inclusive -Transformative – FIT MANIFESTO – “Operation Rescue” of West Indies Cricket.
“We remain firmly committed to, and passionate about, cricket, and to focusing on what is in the best interest of the administration of West Indies Cricket. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board and the Barbados Cricket Association for nominating and supporting our intentions to run for the respective positions within CWI.
“We also thank our advisors, supporters, members of the media, and the CWI Full Member Territorial Boards for their time and positive interest given to us over the past weeks.
“We retain our pioneering spirit, and look forward to a bright future for cricket in the West Indies.”