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The Cricket West Indies (CWI) has formally declared its vice-president position as “vacant”, two weeks after the Guyana High Court ruled that Azim Bassarath was elected via a flawed process.
Bassarath, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) president, was elected unopposed at the CWI’s 24th AGM in Antigua on 25 March 2023. However, one of the boards that nominated Bassarath, the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), withdrew its endorsement before the election.
(Copyright Newsday)
The GCB said its change of heart over Bassarath was due to the veteran administrator’s “conduct as president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board”.
Despite the GCB’s “written and oral vociferous objection”, the election proceeded and Bassarath was voted in alongside Dr Kishore Shallow.
On 5 August, the Guyana High Court ruled that Bassarath’s election was unlawful and null and void and ordered the CWI to pay legal costs of $100,000 to the GCB by 26 August.
The CWI initially challenged the jurisdiction of that court and vowed to appeal.
Bassarath was ruled to have been elected in a flawed process.
(via CWI Media)
However, in a press statement today, the regional cricket body confirmed that it accepted the Court’s ruling.
“On Thursday 8 August 2024, at a Board of Directors meeting, in consideration of the recent judicial pronouncement from the High Court of Guyana concerning the challenge to the Vice-President’s election initiated by the Guyana Cricket Board,” stated the CWI, “the decision was made to have the re-elections as soon as possible. This decision means that Mr Azim Bassarath has vacated the office of vice-president for CWI.”
There was no explanation as to why the CWI waited another 11 days to make its unprecedented decision public.
A fresh election for the post of vice-president will now be held on 20 September 2024.
Shallow claimed that the CWI’s decision today, forced by the court after months of objections by the GCB, showed that the regional body he leads is “open-minded” while he commended the controversial Bassarath for his “professionalism”.
“This situation presents an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the CWI Memorandum and Articles of Association,” stated Shallow. “Over time, policies and frameworks will always be tested. As a Board, we must remain open-minded and committed to evolving in all aspects; this circumstance is a testament to such fact.
“[…] I am particularly grateful for the level of cooperation and professionalism in which Mr Bassarath has handled this matter, and therefore extend my gratitude to him for such.”
The CWI, despite holding a flawed election and ignoring the valid concerns of an affiliate member over that fact for close to a year, claimed that it holds an “unwavering commitment to democratic principles and transparency”.
“The forthcoming election will be conducted with the highest standards of fairness and in alignment with CWI’s core values,” stated the regional body.
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