Prime Minister Mia Mottley

After a series of ongoing consultations with key stakeholders since being elected in March, President Shallow notes that the indispensable role of governance is a key element in reinvigorating CWI.

“We have produced several reports on governance over the years and the regional dialogue on this matter has also been unending. The way forward is for all stakeholders to recognize that the reform effort is fundamental to the transformation and advancement of West Indies Cricket,” Dr Shallow said.

 “I am resolute, that if we are to achieve the desired outcomes and realize sustainable growth in West Indies Cricket, we must act with a measure of insistence and have a sense of priority towards the reform exercise.”

Last week during the 22nd Frank Worrell Memorial Lecture, Prime Minister of Barbados, Honourable Mia Mottley, echoed similar statements.

“You cannot have the benefit of all of these reports, from all different types of society, all different parts of the region, and then we say no, ignore it. The first issue we need to get right is governance,” the Barbadian Prime Minister said then.

 “The longer we take to do it, the worse the results will be.”

The CWI President said full consideration will be given to these reports, including but not limited to the 1992 Governance Report, Patterson Report 2007, Wilkins Report 2012, Barriteau Report 2015, and Wehby Report 2020.

Dr. Shallow led constitutional reforms during his presidency at Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association and Windward Islands Cricket Board, including introducing term limits for presidents.

In the coming weeks, Cricket West Indies will meet with the CARICOM Sub-Committee on Cricket chaired by the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Hon. Keith Rowley. Governance reform is expected to be an agenda item.

Between 1958 and 1969, Sir Wes Hall played 48 Tests for the West Indies taking 192 wickets. During the 1960/61 series between the West Indies and Australia, he featured prominently taking nine wickets in the famous tied-Test in Brisbane.

 The eight-foot tall statue created by 42-year-old fine artist Jason Hope was erected next to that of another Barbados and West Indies legend, Sir Garry Sobers.

The statue was unveiled by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley during a ceremony attended by about 200 persons from Barbadian society including retired cricketers Ian Bradshaw, Vasbert Drakes, and Floyd Reifer as well as Barbados Cricket Association President Conde Riley and Roland Butcher.

Sir Wesley Hall’s children, Dr Kerry Hall, Sean Hall and Remi Hall were also in attendance.

“I want on behalf of the Government and the people of Barbados to salute you and to say to all of the others who helped to create that moment, that we will do all in our power as a government to continue to ensure that you will not only be honoured but that the legends of Barbados will not just remain as a cricketing legacy,” Prime Minister Mottley said.

“We must merge the legacy of the legends with the current requirement of what we must do to earn.”

In addition to the Prime Minister’s message, there were also recorded video tributes from past greats including former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Desmond Haynes, Sir Charles Griffiths and current West Indies captain Jason Holder.

The 83-year-old Hall said he was humbled by the occasion.

“I really appreciate those Barbadians who came on board and made this statue here for all Barbadians to see and we did not have to go to India, Australia and England to get the funds. I want you to recognize these Barbadians that have come to the party and this is why we have this statue and I am very happy. I am very humbled,” he said.