JOHN’S, Antigua—The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) have confirmed their participation in a pivotal Cricket West Indies (CWI) Special Meeting scheduled for February 9 in Antigua, where they intend to formally present their concerns and exercise their voting rights on proposed amendments to the Articles of Association.
The announcement marks a shift from their previous stance, as both boards boycotted the last meeting on December 6, citing dissatisfaction with how governance reforms were being managed by CWI.
Reluctant attendance, lingering concerns
In a joint press release, the two cricketing bodies underscored their displeasure with CWI’s handling of the matter, but emphasized their commitment to engaging in the process.
“The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) have agreed to attend the meeting of February 9, 2025, set by CWI to discuss the proposed resolutions to amend the Articles of Association, despite their disappointment in the way in which the matter has been handled by CWI,” the statement read.
While confirming their attendance, the BCA and GCB strongly asserted that their concerns—repeatedly raised in previous meetings—had been largely ignored.
Calls for transparency and independence
A major point of contention for both associations is what they perceive as conflicts of interest in the governance reform process.
“The BCA and GCB have continuously added their voices to governance reform and at the last AGM tabled suggestions aimed at moving the matter forward. We asked for further dialogue but, instead, our concerns were referred to the Integrity & Dispute Resolution Committee. The committee, chaired by a CWI Director, rejected our position.”
The two cricketing bodies took particular issue with the composition and authority of the Integrity & Dispute Resolution Committee, arguing that no internal committee should have the power to override the concerns of shareholder representatives.
“It must be pointed out that no committee has the authority to overrule a request of a representative of the shareholders, and furthermore, any Ethics of Integrity of Disputes Committee should be independent and should not be chaired by a sitting CWI Director.”
Reaffirming support for governance reform
The BCA and GCB also forcefully rejected claims that they are opposed to governance reform, countering that they had supported numerous resolutions, even some they now deem questionable.
In an effort to seek an independent resolution, the two associations revealed they had escalated the matter to the CARICOM Secretary General, requesting intervention and proposing a pathway forward.
“The narrative has also been sent that BCA and GCB are against governance reform. This is entirely misleading. We have voted in favor of most resolutions, inclusive of some that are now revealing to be questionable.”
Taking the fight to CARICOM
The dispute largely centers on proposed changes to the tenure of the CWI president and vice-president, extending their terms from two years to three years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms.
Believing the issue to be of regional significance, the BCA and GCB have petitioned CARICOM to intervene, hoping the matter will be formally addressed at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting, set for February 19-21 in Barbados.
“In light of no dialogue, BCA and GCB have written the CARICOM Secretary General setting out our concerns and proposed way forward as it relates to the items being tabled surrounding amendment of the section changing the tenure in office of the president and vice-president from two years to three years with term limits of three consecutive terms.
It is hoped that this matter will be elevated at the next CARICOM Heads of Government meeting scheduled to take place February 19-21, 2025, in Barbados.”
As tensions simmer ahead of the February 9 CWI meeting, all eyes will be on Antigua, where the fate of West Indies cricket governance hangs in the balance.
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