If losing on the field was not enough for West Indies cricket in recent times, the West Indies Cricket Board has found itself in more despair after dropping a whooping US$12.9 in losses over the last two years, President Wes Hall has disclosed.
A WICB press release disclosed that US$7.5 for the year ending September 2001 and US$5.4 for 2000 in losses were had by the Board, Hall said in a statement made at the WICB's annual general meeting last weekend in Jamaica.
The recently elected president attributed the losses last year to the continuation of the board's development plan including expansion of the Busta Cup and Red Stripe Bowl competitions without increase in revenue.
In addition the WICB has staged the regional Under-19 and Under-15 competitions without sponsorship for the last three years.
The new and unfavourable fee structure instituted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) which has significantly reduced the WICB's earnings from overseas tours, increased with the introduction of the world body's 10-year competition programme, was cited among other factors. Losses from home tours including the 2001 South Africa series in which television production costs were not off set by the rights sold, along with the disposal of investments in 2000, also contributed to the drop in earnings.
Hall stated that his main priority since assuming office last year is to put West Indies cricket on a firm footing. And they will attempt to begin the process by approving a break even budget for 2002.
In addition a loan, which a source disclosed is close to US$9 million has been obtained from the First Citizens Trust and Merchant Bank of Trinidad and Tobago, to finance the cash flow shortfall.
Hall said the WICB also expects substantial revenue from television rights for the current India tour.
In order to improve its finance regulation, the WICB's finance committee has been amalgamated with the executive committee and national associations have been urged by Hall to make more timely reporting of their operations.
New chief finance officer Barry Thomas has been mandated to ensure strict financial procedures and budgetary limits budgetary limits.
A number of other decisions were made at the two-day meeting on Friday and Saturday follow:
A number of decisions were taken in Jamaica where a directors meeting was also held. The decisions follow:
Election of Directors
Two new members were elected to the Board of Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board.
Bishnath Panday, secretary of the Guyana Cricket Board, and Whycliffe "Dave" Cameron, treasurer of the Jamaica Cricket Association, has joined the board of directors following the annual general meeting.
All of the other directors were returned and will serve until the conclusion of the 2003 AGM. They are: Stephen Alleyne and Owen Estwick of Barbados, Chetram Singh of Guyana, Jackie Hendriks of Jamaica, Carlisle Powell and Enoch Lewis of Leeward Islands, Richard deSouza and Ellis Lewis of Trinidad & Tobago, along with Lennox John and Walter St. John of Windward Islands.
WICB Committees Appointed:
The WICB has appointed members of several committees of the Board.
The Directors' Meeting agreed to amalgamate the Finance Committee with the Executive Committee to link financial and operational matters more closely.
The members of the last Executive Committee were re-elected unanimously by the Board. The re-elected members - Stephen Alleyne, a WICB director and president of the Barbados Cricket Association, Chetram Singh, a WICB director and president of the Guyana Cricket Board, and Richard deSouza, a WICB director from Trinidad & Tobago - will join the President and Vice-President as members of the Executive Committee.
Ken Hewitt and Enoch Lewis, two former members of the Finance Committee, will join the Executive Committee for discussions on financial matters.
Members for the Cricket, Marketing, Human Resources, Umpires, Grounds and Disciplinary committees were all selected by the board of directors. The full slate will be announced at a later date after they have been properly notified.
The chairmen of the above-mentioned committees are: Mike Findlay (Cricket), E.H.C. "Teddy" Griffith (Marketing), Ellis Lewis (Human Resources), Chetram Singh (Umpires), Jackie Hendriks (Grounds) and Lennox John (Disciplinary).
Future Tours:
Consequent to the International Cricket Council's 10-year programme, a calendar of future tours has been drafted and full details of the itineraries will be released when they have been finalised.
ICC Knockout in India 2002 September 12 to 30 Minimum 2 ODIs
West Indies to India 2002 October 1 to November 24 3 Tests, 7 ODIs*
West Indies to Bangladesh 2002 November 26/December 20 2 Tests, 3 ODIs*
ICC World Cup in South Africa/Zimbabwe/Kenya 2003 February 9 to March 23 All ODIs
Australia to West Indies 2003 April 2 to June 2 4 Tests, 7 ODIs*
Sri Lanka to West Indies 2003 June 1 to July 2 2 Tests, 3 ODIs*
England to West Indies 2004 March 1 to May 10 4 Tests, 7 ODIs*
Bangladesh to West Indies 2004 May 7 to June 10 2 Tests, 3 ODIS*
* under negotiation
West Indies A-Team management appointed:
Former West Indies fast bowler Joel Garner has been named as manager of the West Indies A-Team for the tours to Britain and Canada between June 9 and August 9 this year.
Garner has managed West Indies A-Teams in the past and has just concluded a four-year stint on the West Indies selection panel.
The WICB directors have also named former Trinidad & Tobago captain and West Indies batsman Gus Logie and David Cumberbatch as coach and trainer respectively, for the tour.