In confirming his withdrawal from the CWI presidential race that was supposed to have been held on Sunday, March 28, Calvin Hope says he is still committed to what is in the best interest of the administration of the sport across the region.
Hope, the vice president of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) and a member of the board of CWI, was the running mate of presidential hopeful Anand Sanasie, the former secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board.
Their bid was scuppered earlier this week when the administration of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was swept from power in elections that were being held for the first time in more than a decade. Bissoondyal Singh was elected the new Guyana Cricket Board president while Ronald Williams was installed as the new Secretary, replacing Sanasie.
In light of the development, Sanasie on Thursday issued a statement announcing his withdrawal from the race for the presidency with Hope issuing his own statement shortly thereafter.
“We remain firmly committed to, and passionate about, cricket and to focusing on what is in the best interest of the administration of West Indies cricket,” Hope said in his statement.
“We extend our sincere gratitude to the Guyana Cricket Board and the Barbados Cricket Association for nominating and supporting our intentions to run for the respective positions within CWI. We also thank our advisors, supporters, members of the media, and the CWI Full Member Territorial Boards for their time and positive interest given to us over the past weeks. We retain our pioneering spirit and look forward to a bright future for cricket in the West Indies.”
The AGM that was to have been held virtually on Sunday, March 28, was postponed until April 11, after the CWI board was unable to convene a quorum after the BCA and the GCB failed to have representatives present.
That meant that there were only eight shareholder members present when the CWI constitution requires a minimum of nine for a quorum. The dissenting boards claimed that the CWI failed to send audited financial statements in a timely manner and that did not give them enough time to peruse those financials in time for the AGM.
That, they said, was among the reasons for the decision to end their campaign.
“Given the unfortunate circumstances leading up to and recent events in Guyana regarding the Guyana Cricket Board, one of the six Full Members of CWI, together with the refusal by the leadership of CWI to uphold the highest standards, long-standing traditions and rules for governing the administration of West Indies cricket, we, Anand Sanasie and Calvin Hope, having distanced ourselves from such action of CWI, have decided to withdraw our respective candidacies for President and Vice President in the CWI election scheduled to take place at CWI 22nd Annual General Meeting on 11th April 2021,” Hope said.
Leighton Levy is a journalist with 28 years’ experience covering crime, entertainment, and sports. He joined the staff at SportsMax.TV as a content editor two years ago and is enjoying the experience of developing sports content and new ideas. At SportsMax.tv he is pursuing his true passion - sports.
Bajan triathletes produce credible showing at World Development Regional Cup
A six-member Barbados team were left basking in their credible performance at the recently competed 2024 World Triathlon Development Regional Cup in Puerto Rico.
The squad comprised of Zahra Gaskin, Isis Gaskin, Luke McIntyre, Alexis Lashley, Ali Banfield and Laila McIntyre, won one event and also had several other podium finishes.
Laila McIntyre placed first in the girls’ 12-13 super sprint, and also finished second overall in the girls’ 12-15 super sprint. Banfield was right behind her, finishing second in the girls’ 12-13 super sprint, while also placing fifth overall in the girls’ 12-15 super sprint.
Meanwhile, Lashley finished third in the girls’ 14-15 super sprint and fourth overall in the girls’ 12-15 super sprint.
Zahra Gaskin was also impressive, as she registered a third-place finish in the sprint elite females, and second in the female 20+ category, while Isis Gaskin was fourth overall in the sprint elite females, and second in the female 18 to 19 category.
Luke McIntyre, the team's lone male representative, competed in his first Junior Men’s Elite Race where he placed a commendable 11th.
Poor Mitchell form causing 'pressure' as CSK lose again in IPL
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming acknowledges there is "pressure" on New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell after his team lost again to Lucknow Super Giants.
Holders CSK had won four of their first six Indian Premier League matches this season, but consecutive losses to LSG in the space of five days have seen them slip to fifth in the standings.
Their latest IPL defeat on Tuesday came after CSK had left out Rachin Ravindra, with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane opening the batting, with Mitchell coming in at number three.
While captain Gaikwad scored an impressive unbeaten 108, Rahane managed just one run and Mitchell fell for just 11 off 10 balls.
LSG then chased down their 211 target for victory with three balls left, inspired by a superb innings of 124 not out by Marcus Stoinis.
Mitchell was a major acquisition by CSK at the IPL auction, but so far he has managed just 146 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 123.72.
"There's a lot of pressure obviously," Fleming said when asked about Mitchell's poor form.
"Getting up the order is more comfortable for him. Me putting him down the order in the hitting role wasn't his best position. So, we've looked to rectify that and get him up the order where he has had his best performances internationally.
"That might take a little bit of time, but the top three need to contribute the majority of runs.
"Ruturaj did that, so hopefully he can continue his form and the others can pick that up."
CSK are back in action at home against in-form Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday and Fleming accepts there is work to do, but takes comfort from the fact their defeats have not been comprehensive.
He added: "We are not firing on all cylinders by any means but we are in each game and we are asking teams to play well to beat us.
"We just have to make sure we are good enough to win and we have been. Again [versus LSG] we created a chance, so it is not like we are down and out.
"But we know we could be stronger. We have just got to get a little bit better. It is a mixture of trying to find that [combination at the top of the order] and also form.
"We are a little bit uncomfortable with some areas, so we are trying to find not a quick fix, but the right combination where players are going to contribute for the back end of this tournament.
"We have had injuries, we have been a little bit unsettled, but the main thing is getting guys in key areas and in form."
IPL 2024 continues on Wednesday when Delhi Capitals face Gujarat Titans, with both teams sitting outside the playoff positions as things stand.
CWI president Shallow anticipates fruitful discussions at Caribbean Cricket Conference set for April 25-27
Dr. Kishore Shallow, President of Cricket West Indies (CWI), eagerly anticipates the forthcoming Regional Conference on West Indies Cricket, slated for 25-26 April 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in Trinidad and Tobago. As stakeholders convene under the banner "Reinvigorating West Indies Cricket - A Symposium for Strategic Collaboration and Innovation," Dr. Shallow acknowledges the significant strides taken by CWI as it navigates a new four-year cycle and strategic plan.
"While we have made considerable progress within CWI, setting the stage for a brighter future for West Indies Cricket, it's essential to recognize that there is no quick fix addressing the complex challenges facing our sport," remarked Dr. Shallow. "It requires sustained effort and participation from all stakeholders involved."
Dr. Shallow emphasizes the need for shared responsibility in driving positive change within the cricketing community. "While CWI shoulders a significant portion of the responsibility, we understand that meaningful progress cannot be achieved in isolation," he stated.
"It is crucial for all stakeholders, including CARICOM Governments, territorial boards, and other relevant entities, to actively engage and contribute to the advancement of West Indies Cricket."
The upcoming conference provides a platform for collaborative efforts aimed at addressing critical areas such as infrastructure development, investment in grassroots, youth, and women's cricket, and other aspects of sports development. Dr. Shallow expresses optimism about the potential outcomes of the conference, stating, "Together, we can forge sustainable solutions that will propel West Indies Cricket to new heights of success and prominence on the global stage.
"We remain committed to building upon the progress we've made and charting a course towards a vibrant and prosperous future for West Indies Cricket," affirmed Dr. Shallow. "Through collective action and shared responsibility, we are confident in our ability to overcome challenges and realize our vision for the sport."
The CWI delegation at the conference will be led by President Dr. Kishore Shallow along with Vice President Azim Bassarath, CWI Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Director of Cricket, Business Planning Manager, and Head Coaches Andre Coley and Daren Sammy. Additionally, other key members of the CWI organization will also be present to contribute to the discussions and deliberations.
The conference will be live-streamed on Cricket West Indies' official YouTube channel.
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