ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Dr. Kishore Shallow, president of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has confirmed that his current term will be his last, announcing that he will not seek re-election when the board votes again in 2028.
In a pre-recorded address released Sunday on CWI’s social media channels, Shallow, recently elected to Parliament in St Vincent and the Grenadines and appointed Minister of Tourism and Maritime Affairs, told regional stakeholders that his expanded national responsibilities will not interrupt his present mandate but will shape his long-term plans.
Balancing public and cricket leadership
Shallow acknowledged the concerns raised following his elevation to the Vincentian Cabinet.
“…I know that some of you may be concerned about my recent appointment to Cabinet and what it may mean for my continued service as president of CWI,” he said. “Let me be up front and transparent with you, as I’ve always been.”
While he reaffirmed his intention to serve out the remainder of his CWI term, he made it clear that 2028 will mark the end of his presidency.
“My conviction is that the work ahead requires steady leadership and a commitment to completing the reforms already set in motion. It is for this reason that I will conclude my current term, but with the intention not to seek re-election.”
Completing the reforms before passing the baton
Shallow emphasized that stepping away immediately was never an option. He argued that transformational work already underway, governance restructuring, operational stabilization, and broader organizational reforms, required continuity, not abrupt change.
He explained that his priority is to ensure that the initiatives he championed reach full maturity.
“When I first accepted the responsibility of serving at CWI, I did so with a clear objective: to help restore the integrity of the organisation and advance meaningfully governance reform,” he reflected. “Our aim has always been to create a stronger foundation that can ultimately support improved performances on the cricket field.”
Progress made, challenges acknowledged
Shallow conceded that the road has been uneven but insisted that the progress is real and measurable.
“While the journey has not been without its challenges, and we have not achieved every goal, we have made significant and measurable progress,” he said.
He again underscored his belief that sustained leadership is essential for the reforms to take hold.
“…My conviction is that the work ahead requires steady leadership and a commitment to completing the reforms already set in motion.”
A presidency nearing its final chapter
Shallow, now 41, succeeded Ricky Skerritt in 2023 and secured a second term unopposed in May 2024. His declaration signals the beginning of a carefully managed transition period for West Indies cricket governance, one he insists must conclude with a stronger, more credible institution.
