BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC- The man attempting to dethrone Dave Cameron as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), Joel Garner, says cricket development, performance and governance of the sport will be his top priority if he wins elections carded for March 7.
Garner, the former West Indies pacer, says a dramatic change in the way WICB administers the region’s cricket affairs is necessary to combat the recent trend of protracted disputes plaguing the sport in recent year.
The 62 year old cricket legend and president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) is the only challenger to Cameron who is seeking a second two year term.
“The core business of the WICB should be cricket. Two of the issues which I think have been neglected by the WICB are that of cricket development and performance. In recent times I think we have been focusing too much on finances,” said Garner in an interview with Barbados Today.
“It is a serious problem which needs to be addressed, along with that of governance. Over the years, West Indies cricket has been embroiled in disputes with players, and more recently the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI)”.
Garner, who lost out to Emmanuel Nanthan for the post of vice-president in the 2013 elections, is backed by the BCA, seconded by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) and has also received support from the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA).
Cameron, who defeated St.Lucian Julian Hunte two years ago, is being supported by the Guyana Cricket Association (GCA), the Windward Islands Cricket Board of Control (WICBC) and the Leeward Islands Cricket Association (LICA).
“I think there is a need to look at reforming the WICB and making it more presentable. There needs to be a different approach to business at the WICB. I think that we need to look at cricket in the Caribbean in a holistic way…and that is from the bottom up instead of from the top down, ”said Garner, veteran of 58 Tests and 98 One-Day Internationals.
“Finances are a critical part of any organization, but we also have to take administration very seriously…and I honestly don’t think that we do enough of that.”
Garner says he was asked to contest the elections and believes he has a good chance of unseating Cameron.
“My election is dependent on six shareholders, and I honestly don’t know what my chances are,” he said.
“But I have been asked to serve, and I will still be open to serve, even if I don’t win”.
