Mahabir quits WICB, cites unprofessionalism, poor business model

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC-A Director on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has resigned with immediate effect accusing the Antigua based organization of unprofessionalism, poor business methods and being responsible for a spate of public disputes with players.

“Six million West Indians cannot be wrong.”

Baldath Mahabir, one of Trinidad and Tobago’s Directors on the WICB, also says he is quitting the post in light of the growing wave of public criticism targeted at the WICB, headed by Jamaican businessman Dave Cameron.

Mahabir is reported to have sent his resignation letter to the board in which he linked ‘anti’ WICB sentiments to Prime Ministers, former players, journalists, educators and fans.

“However, in the recent past, this incarnation of the WICB has had to endure even more verbal onslaughts than some of its predecessors,” said Mahabir in his resignation letter, published by the Trinidad Guardian.

“The events that have attracted these negative outpourings have not always been the sole responsibility of the WICB, but the onus of cleaning up after the mess, falls squarely on its burdened and at times under resourced shoulders. And this the organisation must understand”.

Baldath Mahabir
Baldath Mahabir

Mahabir lost his bid to become vice president of the WICB after he was defeated by incumbent Emmanual Nanton earlier this year.

Since then there has been speculation in the media that his tenure as a WICB director would be short-lived.

“…one must recognize that the WICB has been less than satisfactory in other areas,” Mahabir said in his letter.

“The management of the business has been unprofessional, tardy or lax in many instances and this, coupled with the very public spats with our players – men and women – have activated an increase in the quantity and decibel counts of voices against the actions of the Board”.

Mahabir says he decided to tender his resignation after listening to the voices of many from friend and strangers to business people and politicians.

“All have been driven by their waning passion for West Indies Cricket. They are not happy. As a result, I have decided to step back from the forest, for it seems that I need to look again at the trees,” he said.

“Six million West Indians cannot be wrong. This largely informed my decision to resign as a Director of the WICB”.

The Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) was scheduled to convene a special meeting on Tuesday to select a replacement to join Azim Bassarath on the WICB.