(Letter to the Sports Editor)

THE recent decision of the Caribbean Heads of Government to dissolve the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) was inevitable, given the state of West Indies Cricket and the irresponsible attitude of an insensitive and grossly inefficient WICB directorate.In any crisis, Government has a responsibility to intervene on behalf of its people towards the restoration of order, accountability, legality and respect.
Outstanding Caribbean personalities Pat Rosseau, Dr Rudy Webster, Tony Cozier, Colin Benjamin, Michael Holding, Brian Lara, PJ Patterson, Charles Wilkin, Dr Ralph Gonslaves, Dr Keith Mitchell, Dinnanath Ramnarine, together with the Stakeholders of Guyana Cricket have within recent times condemned the WICB’s poor administration of Caribbean cricket.
It is therefore imperative that the CARICOM Secretariat act expeditiously and decisively in this matter by:
1. Dissolving the WICB and appointing an interim management committee in its place.
2. Investigating the financial activities (income and expenditure) of the WICB and its affiliates over the past seven (7) years including salaries and other emoluments paid to Directors and disbursements to the Affiliates.
3. Ensuring free and fair elections within each of the six (6) affiliated territories (there has been no legitimate elections of the Guyana Cricket Board over the past six (6) years).
4. The installation of a new and effective governance protocol with bona-fide representatives from the expected democratically-held elections participating in its design and implementation.
5. Instituting any other measures that they deem fit and necessary to restore competence and credibility at the Board level.
President Cameron’s claims that the recent sterling performance of our heroic U-19 Team is a manifestation of the WICB’s intense preparation programme could only be justified if he produces to the public the details of the programme to which he is referring. In my view the reality is totally the opposite whereby the youngsters and the team management must be the ones who should receive all accolades for their success.
And while our U-19 heroes have given us a glimpse of hope for the future, sustained stellar performances depend on a new order, and a new approach to our cricket administration. An “all hands on deck” policy is important and should include administrators, businessmen, past players, current cricketers and the public who all must work together with mutual respect for one another within a new governance protocol and introspective strategic plans. These plans must include a comprehensive programme for ladies cricket at both the junior and senior levels
The president and seventeen (17) directors of the current WICB must bear collective responsibility for the shambolic state in which West Indies cricket finds itself. This clique has virtually brought West Indies cricket to its knees through their arrogance, administrative incompetence and disdain for the people of the Caribbean. By popular demand they should be consigned to oblivion.
As a former player and cricket administrator with over forty (40) years’ experience, I am heartened by the bold position taken by CARICOM. Guyana continues to suffer immensely from pitiful cricket administration and the patent complicity of the WICB.

Claude Raphael
Former WICB Director
Former GCB Executive