Board shoots down Wehby resolutions but Shallow still upbeat

ST JOHN'S, Antigua (CMC):

Cricket West Indies president, Dr Kishore Shallow, said he remained committed to implementing the governance reforms of the Wehby Report, after several resolutions related to the recommendations failed to gain approval at the annual general meeting last weekend.

A CWI media release on Tuesday said Shallow put forward "a series of resolutions" at the AGM but some of them "failed to secure the absolute majority threshold required for passage", despite extensive discussions.

"While it is disappointing that some resolutions did not find favour with the majority on this occasion, I remain committed to ensuring that CWI governance structure is always at its most robust," Shallow said.

"We will return to consultation with our shareholders to sensitise and advocate further for adopting modern corporate best practices."

After coming to office last year, Shallow reiterated his commitment to delivering the recommendations of the governance report, stating it offered "a roadmap to a more efficient, transparent, and accountable organisation."

Then, Shallow described a specially convened board meeting to discuss the matter as "an important step" towards the implementation of the reforms.

The 36-page report was prepared by an independent task force led by prominent Jamaican businessman and senator Don Wehby, and included leading regional academic Sir Hilary Beckles, former West Indies vice-captain Deryck Murray, Jamaican businessman O.K Melhado and prominent Kittitian lawyer Charles Wilkin QC.

Among other things, the report recommended a downsizing of the Board of Directors from 18 to 12, a reduction of the board committees from 12 to five and a redefining of the roles of president and vice-president.

Shallow, who replaced Ricky Skerritt as president, said the reforms remained critical to CWI's governance and stressed that efforts would continue to ensure they were enacted.

"We have engaged in thorough consultations and discussions to formulate these resolutions, all to strengthen the governance structure of CWI," said Shallow.

"It is imperative that we continue our efforts to enact these reforms for the betterment of West Indies cricket.

"Our effort toward improvement on all fronts continues unabated. We will engage rigorously with our stakeholders, leveraging their insights and expertise to navigate this intricate process while re-examining CWI's governance structure."