AFTER being appointed to serve in the capacity of Honorary Secretary of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) late last year, following the resignation of Jamaican Terrence Richards, Guyana-born Azad Khan has been unanimously confirmed in the post following elections at the recently-concluded 31st Convention of the august body, held at the Cascadia Hotel and Convention Centre in Trinidad & Tobago.

Khan, who is also President of the Canada Cricket Umpires Association (CCUA), in presenting his first report at the convention, thanked President Vivian Johnson and other members of the executive committee for the faith reposed in him to carry out the arduous task.

“I want to thank the WICUA Executive for having appointed me as Secretary to carry out this very important function. Colleagues, as you know, the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer and I were appointed after the resignations of the two previous incumbents. The executive welcomed us with open arms, and as the President said in one of our meetings, the executive has not skipped a

beat as the two appointees have hit the ground running in carrying out the tasks assigned to them in the interest of the WICUA.”
Khan expressed thanks to the panel umpires for continuing to represent the WICUA in CWI competitions and others in the territories to carry out their umpiring responsibilities to ensure that cricket is played at the highest level and with the highest level of officiating.

“As we move towards the next two years, we must endeavour to be our brother’s keeper and work together to make our association a better organization. I am encouraging you to participate in WICUA activities, seminars, training courses, social events to show that you truly love, respect and want to participate in your organization.”

Khan also took the opportunity to praise Joel Wilson for his years of dedicated and devoted service to West Indies umpiring as a member of the ICC Elite Panel. “Mr. Wilson’s time on the Elite panel has come to an end and we would like to thank him sincerely for the level of work and the achievement gained to get to that level of world cricket umpiring. The WICUA wishes Joel all the best in his future endeavours as he has indicated that he is willing to give service in whatever capacity in the interest of West Indies Cricket, and we will certainly take him up on that offer.

“The WICUA wants to also congratulate Ms. Jacqueline Williams who continues to represent the West Indies with distinction on the international stage. She continues to officiate in major international tournaments all over the world, making a tremendous impact and performing exceptionally well. We continue to wish her all the best as she continues to put our region on the map.”

The WICUA Training and Examination committee, led by the Chairman, Peter Nero, were also given kudos for their hard work in the training of and qualifying umpires during the period under review. Two Written and two Oral examinations were completed during the period along with the practical assessments were also conducted to ensure that umpires continue their development to gain the required certification.

Touching on the Umpire Exchange Programme, Khan explained that at the last convention in the Cayman Islands, the WICUA introduced its five-year strategic plans. “One of the components of the plan was to resurrect the WICUA Exchange Programme.

The programme was slow to get off the ground, but with the input of territories, we were able to get it implemented in March 2025, with four umpires from the USA visiting Jamaica to participate in the programme. The programme will continue throughout the summer with several territories indicating their umpires’ willingness to umpire in North America (USA & Canada).

“The WICUA is planning to expand the programme in the next cycle to include more umpires and the provision of additional funding for the umpires. This, we are sure will provide the incentive required to get more umpires participating in this vital and important developmental programme.” (Frederick Halley)