Legitimacy of WICB under question

President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Julian Hunte has written to the Territorial Boards (TB) expressing concern over what he considers to be a recent attack on the WICB and over the fact that the legitimacy of the WICB seems to be under question.

Hunte made the comments in a memorandum to the Territorial Boards.

In his memorandum, Hunte wrote of recent comments made in the regional media although he did not identify the comments or the media that broadcast those comments.

“It has been brought to the attention of the Board that there have been comments made in the regional media which seek to question the legitimacy of the West Indies Cricket Board to govern and administer cricket in the Caribbean,” said Hunte.

“First, the Board is disappointed with the comments but is aware that comments of a similar nature have been expressed to the media, at the local level, particularly in Guyana and also at the CARICOM Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee Meeting which was held on September 7th last in Antigua,” he wrote.

Julian Hunte

According to the WICB boss, a pattern seems to be developing whereby it appears that the legitimacy of the WICB, as the governing body for cricket in the region was under question.

“It should be of further concern to us that these comments primarily emanate from the holders of esteemed government offices,” he wrote.

In the memorandum, which this newspaper has seen a copy, Hunte asserted that the WICB has clearly and irrefutably, the authority to govern.

“The West Indies Cricket Board is a legally constituted body which has been and continues to be the exclusive governing authority for cricket in the Caribbean. The WICB was formed in 1927 some 85 years ago by the cricketing fraternity to represent the interest of cricket in the region.

“The Board has a responsibility to all stakeholders and the people of the region to administer the sport in a fair and transparent manner and in keeping with the rules of the international governing body for cricket – the International Cricket Council,” wrote Hunte.