Under swingeing pressure from CARICOM Heads, the WICB today said that key reports – stretching all the way back to 2005 – which had recommended extensive reforms will be reviewed to determine if anything else can be implemented.
In a communique from their meeting last month in Belize, Caricom said “Heads of Government reaffirmed their commitment to the development of West Indies cricket and applauded the recent performance of the 2016 World Champion under 19 Team.
“Heads of Government discussed the Report of the Joint Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee (PMSC) on Cricket and the Cricket Governance Committee held on 9 February 2016.
“They undertook an in-depth review of the governance issues with respect to the West Indies Cricket Board Inc.
“Heads of Government endorsed the recommendations of the Final Report of the Review Panel on the Governance of Cricket of October 2015 and affirmed that they must be implemented.
“Heads of Government agreed to explore all options available to achieve the desired outcome of improved governance of West Indies cricket and undertook to inform concerned parties of their position.”
The October report referred to by the Heads was the one led by Eudine Barriteau who had called for the immediate dissolution of the WICB among other sweeping recommendations.
CARICOM Heads have indicated that they are prepared to approach the International Cricket Council on the matter.
The release issued by the WICB today follows:
DON WEHBY TO HEAD INDEPENDENT TEAM TO REVIEW REPORTS ON GOVERNANCE
Kingston, JAMAICA – West Indies Cricket Board will be renamed Cricket West Indies shortly. President, Dave Cameron made the official announcement at the just concluded Annual General Meeting and the Board of Directors quarterly meeting, held in Kingston this past Friday and Saturday.
While that name change will be happening, Independent Director, Don Wehby will be leading a team of other independents to include Clifford Reis, Ricky Skerritt and three others to be named, to assess the undone recommendations from the Lucky, Patterson and Wilkin Reports. These Reports have over time made suggestions regarding changes to the WICB and its governance and management structures.
The President noted, “the terms of reference of this team, will focus primarily on the recommendations that have not been implemented and for the team to examine if there is an opportunity to bring anything back to the Territorial Boards and the WICB for adoption by the shareholders.”
The President went on to say that “once that process is complete, a change management expert will be brought in to complete the process for a smooth transition.”
News of the financial status of the organisation is also steadying as the President reported to the shareholders that the WICB had a surplus of US$3.4 million as at September 30, 2015. This was gleaned from the financial statements audited by KPMG. The President was confident in revealing that the projections for the next four years indicate that the Board will be able to cover costs for its domestic competitions and cricket programmes.
Coming up in 2017 – 2018, there will be a variety of home series in all formats and the bid documents have been sent to the Governments of the region through the territorial boards for countries to indicate and commit to hosting. The feedback is due by end of April “and once the commitments have been received, a comprehensive schedule will be released to the public,” added the President.
For the tri-nation series in June this year, the Board is finalizing commitments with Guyana, St. Kitts Nevis and Barbados where the matches have already been assigned. The West Indies will host Australia and South Africa for the entire month of June. Prior to that too the Commercial and Marketing team of the Secretariat will host training and preparation sessions with the event teams from all the assigned countries.
