WICB’s Stephen Camacho writes WIPA about Ramnarine chair incident

(WICB) St John’s, Antigua – Following is the full text of a letter sent by the West Indies Cricket Board Corporate Secretary Stephen Camacho to West Indies Players Association Secretary Andrew Richardson.

June 21, 2011

Mr. Andrew Richardson

Secretary

West Indies Players’ Association

61-63 Edward Street

Port of Spain

Trinidad

Dear Mr. Richardson,

Re: Meeting of June 142011

I refer to a meeting which occurred at the Jamaica Pegasus on Tuesday June 14, 2011 between Mr. Dinanath Ramnarine, Mr. Wavell Hinds and Mr. Christopher Gayle and a WICB team consisting of the Chief Executive Officer – Dr. Ernest Hilaire, the Director of Cricket – Mr. Anthony Howard, the WICB Head Coach – Mr. Ottis Gibson and the WICB Team Manager – Mr. Richie Richardson.

At the subsequent WICB Board meeting of June 17 2011, the Board received a report on the meeting, including the details of an incident during the meeting where Mr. Ramnarine rose from his chair, picked up the chair, and advanced towards the WICB CEO in a threatening manner.

This incident has caused great concern to the Board, and while the CEO has reserved his position on any further action, the Board is not prepared to tolerate such conduct, including the use of foul and abusive language, towards its representatives during meetings which are meant to be constructive, professional exchanges between parties on matters relating to West Indies cricket.

We accordingly request that WIPA either facilitate an apology to the CEO from Mr. Ramnarine, together with an assurance/undertaking that he will not engage in any physical or verbal threats during meetings with representatives of the West Indies Cricket Board or identify alternative WIPA representatives to engage in meetings with the WICB.

We would also like to suggest, in the interest of moving forward, that we schedule a meeting between the Executive Committees of both our organisations to discuss the status of our relations, at a time and location convenient to all.

Your earliest attention to this letter would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

G. Stephen Camacho

Corporate Secretary

West Indies Cricket Board Inc

The WICB emphasises that it has had reason to previously formally write to WIPA about the behaviour of Mr. Ramnarine.

A letter was sent by the then WICB President, Mr. Kenneth Gordon to Ramnarine, on July 16, 2007.