WICB – a shame (commentary)
July 19, 2009

Judgment day is August 11th but is there any one willing to touch the Poison Chalice?

I have not watch the recent series between Bangladesh and the “so called” West Indies team as I cannot take the foolishness any more. I am positive there are thousands like me. The difference is I cannot stay silent any longer. WICB has made a complete mockery of our people for a long time but this is the straw that broke the camel’s back. Apology! WICB should apologize to the West Indian community for the embarrassment they have caused us internationally and especially to our players for the years of torture.

There are always two sides to each coin; hence WIPA must not be left out. This is not a game with winners. This is life for us. Those in authority on both sides have lost the picture and only looking to score points. WICB has outdated systems (19th century) and run our cricket as a sugar plantation with masters (WICB) and slaves (Cricketers).  The employees at the WICB office are treated better than the employers (WI Cricket team). And that is simply what it is!  WICB is just the custodians not the masters. Those of you who know will remember the incident of a WI captain asking why the team that brings in the money should fly economy while the board officials utilize first class. Simple! Masters cannot travel at the same level as slaves! Could you imagine the board employees being employed without a contract and having to wait on monthly salaries or not knowing what the salary will be?

There is not enough space in this article to go into the mountain of ills bestowed on us by each succeeding WICB. We honestly or foolishness believed that the Clive Lloyd/Vivian Richards era will last forever; that we will continue to produce fast bowlers and master batsmen at every corner and therefore our success will conceal the obvious ineptitude of our administration. There was no visionary plan to move into the 21st century whether it was on the playing field organizing an academy (to finish the product), a proper domestic league in particular after the original masters blocked our participation in their domestic leagues or administratively to cope with a new world order and a progressive players’ association. WICB cannot appoint proper people to committees whether locally or internationally without issuing favors, cannot communicate with WIPA, players, fellow regional organization ICC Americas, cannot sensibly organize regional tournaments using Sundays as a playing day which will allow spectators to attend, cannot establish a trainers coaching committee with suitably qualified personnel (not Level 1 qualifying Level 2) etc.etc. This is only the tip of the iceberg. The list goes on and on. The buck stops here.

My view on a way forward is based on the following-

1. Change the formation of the Board – one director per territory (6), President, Vice President, a players’ representative, two independent directors
2. A committee to meet with WIPA immediately to resolve all outstanding issues
3. All contracts must be discussed months in advance as we are aware of the FTP and agreed with WIPA
4. Contract players with proper playing, medical and retirement clauses
5. Immediate reinstatement of our players (apologize to whom?)
6. WI Coaching staff must introduce preparatory programs before each home or away series; give assignments to our players for the off season
7. Academy – satellite venues in respective territories with proper coaching staff
8. Implementation of the P.J. Patterson report
9. WIPA – under the leadership of my friend Ramnarine we were privileged to better understand the workings of WICB however he must accept that he cannot continue along the lines of right and wrong to win points or show up the other side. These are cheap victories. WIPA should not be looking for victories but betterment of WI cricket. WIPA cannot be the organization that is credited of bringing down West Indies cricket by asking for more and more at every turn. Rome was not built in a day. Read Rudi Webster’s article!

Board elections are planned for August 11th. We cannot remain with those who lead us in this mess. Where are the good Caribbean leaders? After the humiliation of the last elections Clive Lloyd will be reluctant to put his name up but we must approach him. May I suggest to our respective territory Presidents to approach someone with integrity and leadership ability, get a consensus and let’s get our lives back.

Theo Cuffy
Former National Captain of the T&T Cricket Team