… praises Minister of Sport Charles Ramson (Jr) for critical role

THE recent action taken by the BCA and the GCB by their failure to attend the AGM of the CWI at best can be described as reckless, irresponsible and failing to perform their fiduciary responsibilities as members of the CWI and representatives of their country whom they claim they represent.
What is more alarming and bizarre is the fact they just didn’t turn up for the meeting but they failed to inform the Corporate Secretary and their colleagues of their premeditated decision not to attend the most important meeting – the AGM. What makes this even more perplexing is the fact that BCA and GCB nominated persons for the most significant positions at CWI – the President and Vice-President. How can any responsible person and/or organisation nominate persons to hold the most senior positions in the organisation, whose responsibility among other things is to lead the organisation, fail to turn up causing the CWI members present from the other four Territorial Boards to adjourn the AGM to April 11.

If anything BCA and GCB by their conduct have demonstrated that self-interest takes precedence over the performance of their fiduciary duties.
One would have expected if they have concerns to go to the meeting and try to make their concerns known to other members and even if they disregard them at least it’s on the record. In that case no one can argue and in fact my post may have been very different as I believe that accountability, transparency and good governance must take precedence. Sadly, that is not the case and as such it is my respectful view that both candidates have at a minimum in the public make themselves ineligible for consideration for their failure to put the interests of the organisation ahead of their personal interests.
This lack of immaturity that existed before cannot be allowed to rear its head into the leadership of such an important organisation which is well known to all.
I honestly believe that Skerritt and Shallow have offered a type of leadership that is willing to act with maturity, listen to key stakeholders and have signalled their intentions to improve the governance not only at CWI but at all levels.

The Wehby Report is an example of their actions and for those like me who have been advocating the need to strengthen our governance, I am satisfied with the efforts despite the push back they would have received at times.
The performance on the field has improved and when many would have written off the players and teams, they have shown that with the right people around them and the right leadership we can compete and start the process of winning again.
Like many West Indians who long to see the revival of West Indies cricket, I am encouraged by the work that is being done and will continue to support efforts to improve in all areas. I, like many others, have waited for close to 10 years for the outcome of the GCB elections today as a start to improving the governance of this beautiful game. I am encouraged by the results and more so that it was done in a democratic way and by all reports in a fair and transparent manner. The Minister of Sport, Mr Charles Ramson (Jr) has played a critical role in ensuring that the election process was done properly and in keeping with the orders of the Court, the Cricket Act and Constitution of the GCB. I commend him for leadership and ensuring that this ten-year debacle finally came to an end.

Guyana is too important of a stakeholder in West Indies cricket to be embroiled in such poor governance and other negative conduct any further.
I wish to congratulate the new GCB president, Mr Bissoondyal Singh and his new executives and wish them best of luck in their journey to restore Guyana’s cricket to the level of respectability and proper governance it once enjoyed.
Finally, I again congratulate the appointment of Ramnaresh Sarwan, an independent mind and great cricket brain as Chairman of Selectors, such positive news is most welcome. Not everyone like change but change is inevitable, positive change is necessary.
Best wishes to all concerned as we await further positive changes in other areas and with other key stakeholders. We are all hopeful that this is just the start of good things to come. (Extracted from a Facebook post by former TT and West Indies leg-spinner Dinanath Ramnarine)