Former JCA head demands emergency CWI meeting over Shallow’s dual roles

Former Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Wilford 'Billy' Heaven demands that Cricket West Indies (CWI) call an immediate extraordinary annual general meeting to address the "untenable" dual leadership of its president, Dr Kishore Shallow.

The urgent call stems from Shallow's recent pronouncement that he intends to complete his term as CWI president while simultaneously serving as the minister of tourism and maritime affairs for St Vincent and the Grenadines, a move that has ignited controversy across the region.

Speaking on a radio sports talk show on Monday in Jamaica Heaven, who served as a CWI director during Shallow's first term, argued that the roles represent a clear conflict of interest.

He insisted the decision on Shallow's future cannot be his alone.

"This is a Caribbean game, and it's for the Caribbean people," Heaven stated.

"The people must decide, I believe he should demit office and should have contemplated this long before, given that he was thinking about going into Parliament."

Shallow had made it clear that he can and will manage both roles effectively.

"...I know that some of you may be concerned about my recent appointment to Cabinet and what it may mean for my continued service as president of CWI. Let me be up front and transparent with you as I've always been," he said.

"Admittedly, I have thought long and hard about this. My conviction is that the work ahead requires steady leadership and a commitment to completing the reforms already set in motion. It is for this reason that I will conclude my current term, but with the intention not to seek re-election," Shallow said in the pre-recorded statement.

The CWI president also highlighted that there were past executives at CWI who were members of parliament.

The question now being asked is this: Can a member of parliament leave the government business to attend to private matters?

Heaven's primary recommendation is unequivocal, as he believes that Shallow must relinquish one of his positions.

"He should step down from one of the two roles, and the likely one right now is to step down from the presidency of CWI," Heaven said.

The concern appears widespread. Former St Vincent Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves revealed he had reservations when Shallow was first made a candidate and is now aware that several regional leaders are dissatisfied with the CWI president's decision to cling to both posts.

In the meantime, the regional board faces mounting pressure to clarify its governance standards and heed calls for a meeting to resolve the rapidly escalating matter.