Source: CNW
Antigua’s Minister of Sport, Daryl Matthew, has suggested that the term limit for the president of Cricket West Indies (CWI) be extended from two years to four.
Speaking at CWI’s quarterly press conference on Thursday, Matthew argued that the current two-year term does not provide enough time for any president to make substantial progress or implement significant changes during their tenure.
Matthew praised CWI president Dr. Kishore Shallow for his accomplishments since taking office in March 2023 but emphasized that the short duration of the term hinders long-term planning and development. He pointed out that many global sporting organizations operate with four-year terms for their leaders, allowing them more time to execute their vision without the constant pressure of re-election campaigns.
Two years leaves little room for anything
“In modern sports, most administrators are elected for four-year terms. With CWI’s current setup, being in election mode every two years leaves little room for anything beyond campaigning,” Matthew said. He stressed that this system is detrimental to the organization, which carries significant responsibilities and represents the deep passions of cricket fans across the Caribbean.
Matthew acknowledged that advocating for an extension of the presidential term could be challenging for Dr. Shallow, particularly due to potential perceptions that it might be self-serving. However, he argued that the change is necessary for the practical and sustainable governance of CWI.
“I understand the difficulties that might arise if you, as the sitting president, were to push for this change. Some may view it as self-serving, but I believe that a two-year term for an organization like CWI is neither practical nor sensible,” Matthew concluded, urging the CWI Board to consider addressing this issue shortly.