Cricket West Indies (CWI) hosted its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Saturday, July 4. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the meeting, which is usually held at the end of March, took place virtually via video conference, the first time this has ever been done using this technology. The meeting was well attended, with each of the Territorial Board Member Associations fully represented. Special member representatives in attendance were from the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA), the West Indies Cricket Umpires’ Association (WICUA), the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce (CAIC), and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Several members of the CWI Board were also in attendance, as observers.
The main agenda items of the AGM were the reading of the audited accounts of CWI for the financial year October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019, the appointment of the Auditor for the ensuing year, and the presentation of the Finance Report. After five hours of presentations and discussion, CWI President Mr Ricky Skerritt announced that non-financial matters, likely to include a presentation of the upcoming report by the Task Force on Governance Reform, will be taken at the next opportunity for a safe face-to-face Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).
The Audited Accounts for the year ended Sept. 30, 2019
The Members accepted the audited financial statements presented by CWI’s Auditors, KPMG and received the Independent Auditor’s Report. KPMG was reappointed as the Auditor of the company for the financial year October 1, 2019 to September 30, 2020.
Presentation of the Financial Report
The Chairman of CWI’s Finance Committee, Wilford “Billy” Heaven, presented a comprehensive report on the period under review. The report included an overview of the company’s profit and loss and its statement of financial position. It highlighted a number of reorganizational and cost-saving initiatives which had been implemented, with the help of the PKF Financial Review, in an effort to strengthen the company’s weak financial situation. A lengthy discussion on cost management, the traditional funding cycle, and our COVID-19 financial strategy, ensued.
Tributes
At the start of the meeting, several participants paid tribute to the departed legendary West Indies batsman Sir Everton Weekes, who passed away on Wednesday, July 1 at age 95. An Official tribute was tabled on behalf of the Leeward Islands Cricket Board (LICB) by the President of the Nevis Cricket Association, Carlisle Powell. The meeting observed a moment’s silence in Sir Everton’s honour and extended heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. The meeting also recognized the recent passing of the following members of the regional cricket fraternity:
- Cleon Smith, Former Jamaica Women’s Head Coach.
- Hugh Perry, Former President of the Portland Cricket Association.
- Anil Persaud, Former Guyana Cricket Board Assistant Secretary.
- Dame Patricia Symmonds, Life Vice President of the Barbados Cricket Association.
The President called on participants to show great support for, and extended well wishes himself to, the West Indies team in England preparing for the upcoming three-match Test Series on the Sandals Tour of England 2020, which starts on Wednesday, July 8 at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton.
Commenting on the success of the meeting, Mr Skerritt stated: “Planning and implementing CWI’s first ever virtual AGM reminded us how much the cricket and commercial worlds have been transformed by COVID-19. But the length of time taken, excellent turnout, and active participation at the AGM were also great reminders that West Indies Cricket is a public good that brings our region together and needs the ongoing support of all stakeholders.”
