Kishore Shallow has moved decisively to end days of speculation regarding his future in regional cricket administration.
Despite being sworn in as St Vincent and the Grenadines’ new Minister of Tourism and Maritime Affairs, the 41-year-old confirmed that he will remain at the helm of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
Shallow’s landslide victory in the North Leeward constituency during last week’s general elections had triggered public debate on whether he could continue as CWI president, a position he secured unopposed at the regional board’s annual general meeting on May 29, 2025.
Earlier this week, he teased that a final decision would come “in the next 72 hours.” On Thursday, during an exclusive interview on Isports i95.5 FM, he made his intentions clear.
“The intention Is to finish my term”
Shallow stated unequivocally that he plans to complete his three-year term, emphasizing that his commitment is both a professional obligation and a matter of principle.
“The intention is to at least finish my term at CWI. The directors, the representative shareholders, elected me to serve my term, and I have all intentions of doing so,” he said.
He also rejected the notion that holding dual roles, Cabinet minister and board chair, is unprecedented or untenable.
“Let me just reiterate that the president of CWI is an executive role, it is a chair of a board, and there have been many instances across the region and even internationally, where chairs have been Members of Parliament and so this is not something new. It’s new for me,” he explained.
No conflict foreseen: “I can manage both”
Shallow expressed confidence that the management structure within CWI allows him to meet the responsibilities of both appointments.
“…But understanding the role of CWI president, I have absolutely no reservation that I can manage both… It is about understanding the management structure and understanding that we have a CEO who is the head of operations and head of management and the chair, the president of CWI’s board, is really the liaison between the board and management,” he said.
He added that much of the public uncertainty stems from misconceptions:
“I think if people understand that fully, then it would be less confusion about any possibility of there being a conflict or not.”
Backed by directors and supported by ICC peers
Shallow also revealed that his decision was shaped by extensive consultations. Directors at CWI, regional leaders, and representatives within the International Cricket Council (ICC) all supported his continued leadership.
“I’ve spoken to the majority; almost all of the directors and they have all given me full support. They too have a great appreciation of the role as the president of CWI, and I have spoken to other leaders across the region,” he said.
His conversations with ICC colleagues further helped clarify that political leadership does not contradict the responsibilities of a cricket board chair.
“At least two of my colleagues at the ICC are MPs. When they talk about government interference, they mean in terms of government dictating the operations and the management of the cricket,” Shallow noted.
“In terms of being a Member of Parliament, there are absolutely no restrictions and that is why we have seen in the past with CWI there have been other politicians, so it is not anything new.”
