WICB tears into Lucky Report

The WICB yesterday made the full SNRC report available to the public on their website, and also provided their own detailed comments on the issues raised by the SNRC.

The regional body does not accept the SNRC’s view that the contract was "legally flawed".

"In accepting the recommendations of the SNRC, the WICB acknowledges that the review brought to its attention certain deviations from the procedures, as outlined in the Memorandum of Articles and Association of WICB Inc with regard to the execution of contracts," a news release from the WICB said.

"But as pointed out by the WICB’s legal adviser in the British Virgin Islands, where the company is registered, these did not invalidate the sponsorship agreement with Digicel. The WICB also does not accept the SNRC’s view that Cable & Wireless was treated unfairly in negotiations with the WICB, and is confident that the agreement with Digicel is in the best interest of West Indies cricket."

The release added that the WICB in its review of the SNRC report observed that there was no apparent attempt by the committee to corroborate some of its evidence by reverting to officials of the Board.

"The SNRC also made no apparent attempt to discuss with the WICB lawyers any of the matters relative to the contracts or the negotiation of those contracts," the release said.

"The WICB is of the view that these two shortcomings affected adversely an appreciation of the board’s position in the negotiations."

The WICB also strongly deplored the imputations against the integrity of some of its officials, in particular its immediate past president, the chairman of the marketing committee, and the chief executive.

"It should be noted that the directors of the WICB are drawn from its member boards, whose representatives are involved at various levels within their countries," the release said.

"Given the relatively small size of our societies and economies, it is almost impossible for there not to be interaction at some level between directors and sponsors. The WICB is clear that the actions of its members and officials were above board and quite proper."

The WICB expressed its appreciation for the work of the SNRC, led by its chairman, Justice Anthony Lucky, and including accounting professionals, Gregory Georges and Avondale Thomas.

The SNRC, established by the WICB on June 1 this year, handed their report over to new WICB President Ken Gordon on August 15.

The SNRC was asked to review and examine all correspondence, transactions, communications, minutes, contracts, records, arrangements and any other relevant information concerning: the WICB’s negotiations for the renewal of the sponsorship arrangement with Cable & Wireless, and the negotiations and conclusion of the sponsorship arrangement with Digicel.

The SNRC was asked to determine, whether the WICB treated Cable & Wireless fairly in the negotiations, an improper relationship exists between WICB and Digicel, was the new sponsorship arrangement was in the best interest of the WICB and continued cricket development in the West Indies, and were payments improperly accepted by members of the WICB as an inducement (members to include Board members, members of the marketing committee, executive staff).

The WICB, in making the full report available, also issued a letter from former president Teddy Griffith, whose term expired at the last annual general meeting of the Board on August 7, outlining his position on various issues raised by the report.

The entire package of documents will be tabled at the next regular meeting of the directors of the WICB scheduled for September 24 in Barbados for follow-up action.