GCB, BCA accuse CWI of ignoring shareholders’ proposals

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

THE GUYANA Cricket Board (GCB) and the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) have revealed that the decision by Cricket West Indies (CWI) to continually ignore their proposals led to them boycotting Friday’s meeting on governance reform.

In a joint statement issued by both boards on Friday, they explained that while they had voiced objections on some of the items tabled for the meeting, CWI did not acknowledge those concerns.

While the meeting was convened for its Full Members to vote on implementing governance reforms proposed by the Wehby Report, the GCB and BCA said they did not agree with the report on critical issues.

The two boards said they were not in agreement with the decision to increase the term limit of the CWI president from two to three years and also suggested that the current election process for the CWI president and vice-president positions promoted nepotism.

The failure of the GCB and BCA to provide representatives at the meeting resulted in it being adjourned because a quorum was not met.

“We have previously tabled our counterproposal to have a rotational president and vice-president as well as a long-term development plan,” the statement read.

“There are and were no convincing reasons for the BCA and GCB to support the sought changes/amendments to the Articles of the existing Memorandum & Articles of Association. Also, the proposed changes/amendments lack clarity in the form as presented and for that matter how they will benefit the Company in consideration of its multiple stakeholder base.

“The BCA submitted proposals on two occasions to CWI with the latter not even receiving a response. Previously, at the 25th CWI Annual Meeting of Members, held on March 23, 2024, the BCA proposal was to stop the infighting through electioneering at CWI and said proposal was supported by GCB.

“The current system for electing a president and vice-president provides for horse-trading and nepotism. The CWI proposed amendments do not include the BCA/GCB proposal as an option for members to discuss or vote on. CWI continues to ignore the voices of its shareholder reps and Full Members.

“The BCA and GCB rejected the Wehby Report on the basis that it seeks to relinquish power from the territorial boards and is further seen given recent decisions at CWI. The repetitive meetings under the guise of corporate governance reform attempt to bring parts of said Wehby Report which were previously rejected,” the statement further added.

Additionally, the GCB and BCA charged that “the Secretariat of the Company has on occasions, either forgot or ignored or failed to acknowledge the historical status of and the contribution made by its Full Members. Without want of curtailing zeal beyond boundaries, such habitual culture must reverse in the interest of progress.”