Speaking truth to power

Chris Gayle Speaks Part 1

Chris Gayle Speaks Part 2

Chris Gayle on Sammy and the captaincy

Chris Gayle on the importance of WIPA

Sammy captaincy plan was hatched since 2009

It’s very interesting to read old minutes from WICB meetings and seeing how directors scheme and hatch their plans. In this case, it’s Darren Sammy and the captaincy. From as far back as 2009, directors were pushing to make Sammy the vice captain even before the team was picked and before he was even considered a certainty on the team. Read the very last line of this section of the WICB minutes.

How Richie Richardson became W.I manager

Today’s document release provides a good look at how the WICB hands out jobs to the favoured boys.   First, the job is advertised. Then, candidates are interviewed.  Then the candidates are all made to look like idiots (examples below).  Then, they handpick one of the boys, in this case Richie Richardson.

Rodney McPherson:

According to Mr. McPherson’s resume, he has held a number of managerial positions particularly in the area of Finance but has had prior experience with managing teams for the Jamaica Football Federation. Based on the assessment however, Mr. McPherson seemed to lack professional vision and a clear understanding of the role of Team Manager. He required significant prompting with respect to the questions and his responses were vague and the examples/evidence of his role in projects or on the job currently and in the past were unconvincing.

Mr. McPherson was unable to demonstrate to the panel that he possessed the basic competencies to effectively function as Team Manager and seemed to lack the core behaviors necessary for the incumbent to successfully cope with the challenges inherent in the role.

Anthony Del Jackman:

Mr. Jackman is a trained psychologist. Generally, Mr. Jackman’s responses to the questions relating to the organisation’s core values and behaviours were clear and concise, if somewhat clinical.

He seemed most enthusiastic and comfortable within his area of expertise and there was some doubt concerning his ability to effectively manage the administrative aspect of the role. Further he appeared to lack the sincere dynamism for the role of Team Manager. It was however felt that his expertise in psychology could be used elsewhere in the organization.

Marlon Tucker

Mr. Tucker previously worked with the Jamaica Cricket Association. However, based on the interview it was ascertained that his role was mostly confined to junior level administrative functions. The seniority of the role of Team Manager proved too much of a stretch from his current level of experience and expertise.  At this point in time he is too inexperienced to successfully execute all of the requirements of the role of Team Manager.

Download and save your own copy richierichardsonmanager.pdf

‘Burger King’ Paul Campbell again

We have already established that Jamaica cricket president and WICB director Mr. Paul Campbell uses the JCA credit card to shop at Burger King and to pay for his personal stuff. In this open letter from his Vice President, we are now finding out that Mr. Campbell also wanted his board to “approve reimbursements based on credit card chits and requests made on a sheet of paper.”

Ladies and gentlemen, this is a WICB director.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT PAUL CAMPBELL, JAMAICA CRICKET ASSOCIATION

Dear Mr. President,

Over the past few months there has been a lot said about the division in the Board and a lot of blame has been placed at my feet and those who support me in the upcoming election.  In addition to these accusations much has been said to suggest that this has slowed the development of cricket in Jamaica.  As I consider these accusations unfounded I now seek to outline what I and those who support me have stood for over the last two years. Please feel free to answer this letter outlining what areas I or those who support my vision failed to give support on.

Staff Employment

I lent full support to the employment of the Technical Director, CEOs and the Marketing Officer only insisting that due process be followed.  On provision of the relevant information that due process was being followed, these appointments were all supported by me, as well as those who now back my candidacy.

Competitions & Training Programmes

In addition to the standard competitions and training programmes which were never in dispute, we lent support in the initial stages to the Semi Professional League.  After the first year and based on a cost of approximately $24m to the Board based on the limited sponsorship, the lack of spectator interest and the fact that the quality of cricket being played showed no improvement, I was among a group which asked that a review be taken where this competition was concerned.  It was felt that we were not getting value and as such a new-look competition be introduced.  It is this proposal which is now gaining traction for the 2011 season.  Despite that request no change was made, resulting in the second year costing the Board in the region of $16m as in the main this competition went unsponsored and again showed little in terms of quality cricket.

Committees

There has also been much talk about my refusal to act as the Chairman of the Cricket Development Committee.  As indicated to you at the time, I suggested that based on the work done by Mr. Fritz Harris in the past he should be considered as the Chairman and I would act as monitor.  I subsequently agreed with you to take on this role since the then Chairman had resigned; I  heard nothing further from you on this issue and only learned at a subsequent Board meeting that another Chairman had been appointed.

I also raised concern when an outside Chairman was chosen for the Finance Committee and this was based on the practice in the past which saw the Treasurer chairing this committee.  When the reason given for the change to involve external professionals was advanced no further issue was raised, and I took time out to attend and participate in a few of those committee meetings.

Cricket Festival

The idea of a Cricket Festival had my full support and I do believe all members of the Board.  However, concerns were raised about execution and the fact that this was being run almost independently of the Board with not even the involvement of the executive.  We approved a $1m contribution from the Board based on your commitment to the Board that the rest of the cost was covered by sponsorship.

I am on record as stating that while the execution was poor and inexcusable we cannot allow the JCA to be embarrassed and as such the cost incurred must be borne by us temporarily until we receive the funds from the prospective sponsors.

If my opposition of its poor execution, which resulted in losses of over $16m, is what I am being accused of, then I have no hesitation doing so again to ensure that the limited funds are used in the best possible way for the future development of our players.

India Trip

When you proposed the trip to India and the benefits to be derived this had my full support as well as many Directors of the Board who now support my Presidential candidacy. We only raised an issue when the Board was asked to make reimbursements without the submission of proper supporting documents to substantiate what was being claimed.  While we were not questioning anyone’s integrity on the Board, in the interest of transparency and accountability, we did not think it prudent to approve reimbursements based on credit card chits and requests made on a sheet of paper.

It should be noted that while this trip took place a year ago costing around $1.3m, it received our full  support  based on the promises and potential you reported it held despite your failure to submit even an invitation letter from the relevant group in India. Ironically, you have not provided an update as to where this MOU now stands.

There is no doubt however, that there are some issues which we have been uncomfortable with and will continue to be, should they arise again, viz.:

1.    The use of the JCA’s credit card for personal use contrary to the initial intention for which the card was intended.
2.    Your continued failure to complete the expense report related to the card’s use so the audit mandated by the Board can be conducted to see if all personal expenses have been repaid and whether the late fees and interest incurred are for your account or that of the JCA.
3.    The heavy expenditure on issues such as catering and events without tendering despite warnings of the Board’s inability to afford it.
4.    The lack of engagement of your entire executive in major decisions which are many times heard on the floor of meetings or after a decision has been made.

Mr. President I outline these as some of the major areas of discontent which I can readily recall. However, if there are other areas where I or those who now support my candidacy, failed to support resulting in cricket suffering, then I look forward to you highlighting those to me in writing.

The aim of this open letter is not to cause division but to clear the air on issues which have been bandied about and which I believe need to be addressed.  I must tell you I consider some of the public utterances by your team unacceptable, and will seek to ensure that my team is mindful of protecting the image of the JCA at all times. Please encourage your team to do likewise.

Yours truly,
Lyndel Wright
1st Vice President-JCA

Download and save your own copy openlettertopaulcampbell.pdf

Slow fyah, mo fyah

It’s encouraging to see that the people are starting to rebel. Director of Sport in Guyana Mr. Neil Kumar is starting to poke the fire.  Here’s hoping it erupts into a massive flame.

President of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Julian Hunte is failing to offer any quality leadership to the WICB, while the arrogant and unreliable Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ernest Hiliare who made all sorts of promises to countries around the Caribbean and failed to fulfil his promises, seems hell bent in destroying West Indies cricket.  Hilaire seeks pride in talking down to our senior players and cherishes his opportunities to divide and rule the local cricket boards in the Caribbean.

Many cricket administrators around the Caribbean are against his infantile behaviour. In fact some administrators are of the strong opinion that his best intention is to destroy West Indies cricket by his biased attitude.

…Ottis Gibson is another ‘bell-boy’.  He is a total failure as a coach. Imagine Gibson who knows nothing about batting is telling the World class batsmen that they must go out there and hit over the top. He is regulating the batting order with a trial and error system.

Any good coach must enjoy a good relationship with the senior players in the team. However, Gibson told the players that he suffered and had to sit on the bench and watch the senior and regular players play.

Now, Gibson is most vindictive and he seeks pride in humiliating the senior players and that is why without any explanation, Chanderpaul was dropped from the last two preliminary matches in the World Cup and they were forced to play him in the quarter finals when he top-scored in the team’s paltry score of 112 all out.

…The notorious and power-drunk administrators/selectors and coach in West Indies cricket must resign now so that people with good leadership skills and who know about cricket get an opportunity to administer West Indies Cricket.

Slow fyah.  Mo fyah.

Pink lipstick on Imran’s pig

WICB mouthpiece and propagandist Imran Khan is foaming at the mouth on Facebook and Twitter about this so-called “new” West Indies.  The comments from the fans on this WICB Flickr photo is the perfect response.

Ten minutes after we posted this, the propagandist deleted the fan comments. He peeping.

Does Clyde Butts know he’s on probation?

Clyde Butts is doing a lot of the WICB’s dirty work.   But, does Clyde Butts know that the majority of the WICB board of directors do not want him as chairman of selectors?  Does he know that they originally voted against retaining his panel?  Does he know he’s on probation?

The minutes of WICB board meetings provide all the answers.

The Chief Executive Officer tabled a document received from the Review Committee as to the background, process and recommendations with respect to the Selection Committee.

The Review Committee’s recommendations as to the persons to serve on the Selection Committee for the period 2010/2012 were as follows:

Selection Committee                Alternate Selectors
Clyde Butts (Chairman)            Lockhard Sebastien
Robert Haynes                    Stuart Williams
Courtney Browne                Nehemiah Perry

Disagreement was evinced at the retention of Messrs Butts and Haynes and there was some support for Lockhart Sebastien as a selector.

Mr. Mahabir stated that the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board would have nominated Mr. Jumadeen if it was known that the incumbent selectors would be retained. The Chief Executive Officer, however, pointed out that the recommendations of the Review Committee were made on the basis and assessment of impartial interviews. It was also his considered view that radical change of personnel in the past had failed to bring results.

He also reminded the meeting that the paper on West Indies Selection Policy has been adopted by the Board at the November meeting in 2009. At this point Mr. Campbell advised the meeting of his Association’s withdrawal of Mr. Perry’s nomination as an alternate selector and his name was consequently withdrawn.

Further discussion realized a considered division on the recommendations of the Review Committee. A motion was then moved to approve the Selection Committee as recommended. This was defeated by nine votes to seven. A second motion to appoint the Committee for the stipulated period of two years, with a review after one year was then put to the vote. This was carried by ten votes to five with one abstention. There was no vote on the recommendation for alternate selectors. In his closing remarks on this item the Chief Executive Officer emphasized the need for agreed targets and guidelines to be communicated to the Selection Committee.

Download and save for youself  buttsvotes.pdf

Collapso Cup

The WICB’s inability to attract sponsors has become a running joke. Here’s why the Calypso Cup became the Collapso Cup:

The goal of securing sponsorship for the inaugural Caribbean T20 2010 was not met and as a result the Board covered the full cost of this event. Heineken and RBTT, both candidates for sponsorship of Caribbean T20 2011 and Calypso Cup have declined to get involved at all. WICB became increasingly concerned that whilst there was anticipated sponsorship and TV support from the UK and India for Calypso Cup, overall revenue would not be nearly enough to justify staging two (2) Twenty20 events in the same month that together might cost WICB US$5m.

Here’s an idea for Dr. Money Hilaire, let’s blame it on the senior players. Read the document for yourself heinekenrbtt.pdf

Who to believe? Lloyd or Gibson?

Mr. Clive Lloyd, the greatest West Indies captain ever and a director of the WICB, thinks Chris Gayle is a brilliant captain.

“He creates a very good atmosphere when he’s around. He’s been a great boost for this team and the players react to him very well. He has been brilliant since he took over. The players are behind him and he has created a great team spirit,” Lloyd said.

“He is learning all the time. He has surprised many people by the way he has handled the team, but he has not surprised me. He has always been a quiet guy but I always realised he had the ability.

“In the dressingroom he has always been making wise comments. He always wants to do well and wants the players to do well. He has that kind of charisma and on this tour he has certainly led from the front.”

But Ottis Gibson disagrees. Check out these bullet points from Gibson’s tour report from the ICC World Twenty20 tournament:

• The captain was not a natural leader.
• The situation is far worse than he expected
• There is a lack of trust among the players
• There is a lack of respect for authority
• Senior players and some others lack the passion for the game
• No evidence of leadership qualities among the senior players
• Captain is not a student of the game and lacks tactical awareness on the field.

We don’t know who to believe.  The great Clive Hubert Lloyd.  Or Ottis the US$261,000 a year blamer.

Read the official WICB document and decide for yourself:  gibsontourreport.pdf

The Conde Riley non-resignation (Shysterism 101)

Who remembers that day when WICB director Mr. Conde Riley accused Sir Sridath Ramphal of not being able to understand a mediation document?   Remember how he presented himself as such an honourable man and resigned as a WICB director because he has “broken protocol” by releasing confidential documents?

So why is Mr. Conde Riley still a WICB director?   Welcome to Shysterism 101.

You see, despite proclaiming honour and telling the media he had resigned with immediate effect, Mr. Riley never resigned.  Here’s what he wrote to the board: