Cricket West Indies (CWI) issued a statement Saturday in response to the concerns raised by the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) regarding the validity of the election for the position of Vice President during the Annual General Meeting held on March 25, 2023.
In a letter dated October 4, 2023, the GCB had expressed doubts about the fairness and legality of the election process. They claimed that they had officially withdrawn their nomination of Mr. Azim Bassarath for the position of Vice President during the AGM. The GCB is demanding Bassarath’s resignation adding that if he fails to demit office they will seek legal recourse.
CWI, in its statement, affirmed its confidence in the fairness and transparency of the election process, asserting that it had been conducted with utmost regard for the rights, views, and opinions of all stakeholders of CWI Inc. Furthermore, CWI highlighted that after the conclusion of the election, the elected Vice President had received congratulations and unwavering support from all shareholder members.
The Board of Cricket West Indies emphasized that they had thoroughly examined the concerns raised by the GCB and affirmed that the election for the Vice President position had been carried out in strict accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the organization. They reiterated their commitment to maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency in all their operations, including elections.
Despite the ongoing dispute, CWI expressed its dedication to finding an amicable resolution to the matter, stressing the importance of unity among shareholders and the cricketing community at large. The Board implored the members of the GCB to prioritize the interests of cricket above all else.
CWI remains steadfast in its mission to promote and develop the sport in the region and hopes that all parties involved can come together to resolve this matter promptly and harmoniously.
The GCB had previously sent a letter to CWI President Kishore Shallow, asserting that the process leading to Bassarath's appointment as Vice President was "flawed and illegal" in their opinion. They claimed to have withdrawn their nomination of Mr. Azim Bassarath for the post of Vice President during the AGM.
In a virtual meeting held at CWI's request on September 21, the GCB reiterated their stance on Bassarath's appointment, asserting that he was "illegally occupying the position" and should step down to facilitate a new and legal process. The GCB had expressed their dissatisfaction with the outcome of that meeting.
In their recent letter dated October 4, the GCB made it clear that they had "unanimously decided to demand the resignation" of Bassarath and indicated that non-compliance within 14 days would result in "legal recourse."