Singh out WICB president race

ROSEAU: The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) chief Chetram Singh, withdrew yesterday from his pending appointment as West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, and Val Banks will serve temporarily in the position.

Banks was re-elected vice-president over the only other nominee, Lennox John, and will be interim president until a ‘Special Meeting of the Members’ is held to elect a president. Singh’s pending elevation to presidency after the only other candidate Willie Rodriguez withdrew, became contentious this past week after it was revealed that his job as proprietor of a betting establishment would make him ineligible to represent the region on the International Cricket Council (ICC). “It is with regret that I advised the West Indies Cricket Board (yesterday), July 13, of my decision to withdraw from the election for the post of president,” Singh stated in a release last night. “I accepted the nomination for the post out of my love for West Indies cricket and my desire to continue to serve wherever I am most needed. It is that same love of this game and our region that has prompted me to withdraw from this election,” he said.

Singh, who has been president of the GCB since 1991, said West Indies cricket needs “continued unity” at this time and he did not wish to accept a presidential position “without the broad-based support of the board and the cricket-loving people of the Caribbean”. Singh also defended his own credibility and emphasised that his bookmaking operation, Goodwood Racing Services, is a legal and legitimate business. “I make no apologies for my business, Goodwood Racing Service, which I have run legally and with integrity for over 20 years. During my 35 years in a variety of businesses and over two decades in cricket administration, I have earned the respect of corporate Guyana and the cricketing fraternity.

Singh also pledged his continued commitment to West Indies cricket and said his decision to withdraw his bid for presidency does not mean he is stepping away from administration in regional cricket. “I have assured my fellow directors (yesterday that this turn of events has not in any way diminished my commitment to the work of the WICB and I look forward to continuing my service to West Indies cricket,” Singh said. The WICB will shortly announce the date of the Special Meeting and invite nominations for the office of president in accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association.