On the 24th of March this year, 12 West Indians will decide the future of West Indies cricket. On that day there will be an election for the presidency of Cricket West Indies (CWI), the group that will decide the path to be taken as the people of the islands and Guyana search for the way back to cricket supremacy.
This year there is a candidate who has declared his objection to the way the group is led and has different ideas of how West Indies cricket can return to glory days. He is Ricky Skerritt of St. Kitts. There have been times when West Indian cricketers have performed and showed the world that there are men and women of skill and talent wearing the maroon strip of the “Windies”. But every “win” is followed by an abject display that defies logic. Players and coaches have been changed all to no avail. Now is the time to look at the way the game is being administered.
The main issue at stake in this election is the matter of leadership. Noted sport psychologist Dr. Rudi Webster recently published a piece entitled: “A call for effective leadership in regional cricket”. He listed five requirements for the president and vice-president of CWI. Interestingly the present leader of CWI has none of the listed requirements. Dr. Webster postulates that the leader should have the following attributes:
- He should have broad knowledge of cricket and a clear understanding of the board and the key sources of power.
- He must have an excellent reputation and a strong track record in a wide range of sporting activities.
- He must have values that reflect a high level of integrity and be sensitive to the values of those with whom they interact.
- He should have the ability to think analytically, strategically and multi-dimensionally along with common sense, good judgement, competence, and possess strong interpersonal skills.
- He should be highly motivated and have the capacity to understand and motivate others. These attributes are definitely not being shown by the present leader. Time has come for a change.
The news that CWI will be ordered by the court on the 26th of March to pay a so far undisclosed sum of money to unfairly dismissed coach Phil Simmonds comes at an opportune time for those who are contemplating how to cast their vote. Coach Simmonds won a case brought against the Cameron-led CWI for unfair dismissal, when the president had previously insisted that he had just cause to dismiss Mr. Simmonds. This is the same board that has, at times over the past two years, been forced to delay payments to staff due to cash flow issues, yet was forced to pay out over US$ 300,000 to Otis Gibson, another coach who was discarded before the end of his contract. Further,
I understand that Mr. Cameron has asked the board to increase his expenses from US$2,000 per month to US$10,000. The board eventually agreed to give the president an increase that brings his allowance to US$6,000, monthly. The cost of his office, travel and staff is rumoured to be in the region of US$500,000 annually and his entertainment costs alone reportedly reach an astonishing US$100,000 annually.
West Indies cricket deserves better. West Indies cricket deserves a chance to rise from the present ashes of the great teams of the past. That wish, shared by prime ministers, cricket legends and ordinary fans of the islands and Guyana, rests on the votes of the 12 West Indian regional leaders mentioned earlier. For the sake of the nations, let good sense prevail. Ricky Skerritt embodies the hope of millions.On the 24th of March this year, twelve West Indians will decide the future of West Indies cricket. On that day there will be an election for the Presidency of Cricket West Indies (CWI), the group that will decide the path to be taken as the people of the Islands and Guyana search for the way back to Cricket supremacy. This year there is a candidate who has declared his objection to the way the group is led and has different ideas of how West Indies cricket can return to glory days. He is Ricky Skerritt of St. Kitts. There have been times when West Indian cricketers have performed and showed the world that there are men and women of skill and talent wearing the maroon strip of the “Windies”. But every “win”, is followed by an abject display that defies logic. Players and coaches have been changed all to no avail. Now is the time to look at the way the game is being administered.
West Indies cricket deserves better. West Indies cricket deserves a chance to rise from the present ashes of the great teams of the past. That wish, shared by Prime Ministers, cricket legends and ordinary fans of the Islands and Guyana, rests on the votes of the twelve West Indian regional leaders mentioned earlier. For the sake of the nations, let good sense prevail. Ricky Skerritt embodies the hope of millions.
