The members of Cricket West Indies (CWI) have approved historic governance reform, including term limits for its president and vice president.
The reforms were approved at a special meeting of CWI members of Cricket West Indies Inc. on Sunday in Trinidad. The full member shareholders who attended this meeting were the Barbados Cricket Association, Guyana Cricket Board, Jamaica Cricket Association, Leeward Islands Cricket Board, Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board, and Windward Islands Cricket Board.
“This landmark decision represents a significant step in modernising the organisation’s governance structure, enhancing accountability, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of West Indies cricket,” CWI said in a press release.
At the forefront of these reforms is the introduction of a term limit of a maximum of three terms of three years each for the positions of president and vice-president.
CWI President, Vincentian Kishore Shallow is a strong advocate for term limits and introduced it at the Vincentian, Windward Island and now regional level.
Shallow, who will contest the next general election for the main opposition New Democratic Party, has also spoken about his support for term limits at the national level.
“For decades, I have championed term limits in leadership, ensuring fresh ideas and new energy at the helm. I fought for this principle as President of St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Windward Islands Cricket Board, and I stand by it today,” Shallow said in a CWI press release.
“While the decision was not unanimous, there is no division in Cricket West Indies. Every territorial board stands united in one common purpose — to strengthen our organisation, uphold transparency, and secure a brighter future for West Indies cricket. We move forward together, committed to the growth and success of the game we all love.”
CWI said that term limits for its president and vice president “ensures fresh leadership opportunities, promotes continuity while preventing stagnation, and aligns CWI’s governance framework with modern best practices.”
Additionally, the reforms include the increase of the term of the president and vice president from two years to three years.
This change will take effect from the next presidential and vice-presidential election, which is due in March 2025.
Shallow hailed the passage of these reforms as a landmark achievement.
“Today marks a defining moment for Cricket West Indies. With the implementation of long-overdue term limits and critical governance reforms, we are taking a bold and uncompromising step toward stronger, more transparent, and accountable leadership,” he said.
He said that for years governance has been at the heart of regional debate, with stakeholders demanding change.
“This is not just reform; it is a necessary transformation that will ensure Cricket West Indies is led with integrity, vision, and responsibility. These changes lay the foundation for a more dynamic and forward-thinking institution, one that truly serves the best interests of West Indies cricket.”
The governance reform process has been a strategic priority for CWI, undergoing extensive discussions and consultations over the past few years, including insights from the Wehby Report.
Shallow emphasised the collaborative effort behind this milestone and thanked CWI full member shareholders for their leadership and commitment to the entire process.
“Their support has been instrumental in driving this initiative forward, reaffirming our collective responsibility to safeguard and strengthen West Indies cricket,” Shallow said.
He also expressed appreciation to Don Wehby and his task force colleagues along with former West Indies cricket, Vincentian Michael Findlay for their invaluable contributions.
Shallow said the report served as “a crucial roadmap in shaping this important reform.
“Additionally, I acknowledge past president Ricky Skerritt for his shared vision to strengthen our governance structure with the initiative of this Task Force in 2019.”
The introduction of term limits and the term extensions, adds to a list of other sweeping governance reforms designed to strengthen CWI’s operational structure and accountability. Over the years, CWI has implemented several governance changes aimed at improving its structure and efficiency.
These include the appointment of more female independent directors to the board to enhance gender representation in decision-making, ensuring a broader range of expertise and perspectives as well as ethical and compliance measures, financial oversight and risk management, and gender equality and women’s cricket development.
Love that precedent you set Shallow. We have a leader in Vincy who’s doing irreversible harm to this country and his own offsprings by insisting that he’s the only one capable of governing this country. Remember Sir, time is longer that the twine we’re alloted.
The question NDP needs to ask Vincentians is; have you ever seen or do you know of anyone who have fought you down tooth and nail and opressed you as much as this PM? Go on the streets,the entire length and breath of this country and be guided by their answers. Help the people to truly understand their plight.