WICB: Malicious campaign to discredit Hunte

Fri, Jul 18, '08

 

President of the West Indies Cricket Board of Control (WICB) Julian Hunte Thursday said that an article appearing in the regional media raising questions about the propriety of his St.Lucia Office was part of a malicious campaign intended to malign him and bring to and end a programme of reform which he set in motion since being elected.

In his first reaction to the report which appeared in the Trinidad Guardian and has since been picked up by the Caribbean Media Corporation, Hunte said that a full report and airing of the matter was planned for a meeting of the Board on 24 and 25th July, and he would refrain from providing too much detail at this time.

However Dr. Hunte told CMC that he was very disappointed that the Regional Media and others who have circulated this report had not made any real effort to substantiate the facts but hastened to publish the report which clearly damages his reputation.

Dr. Hunte said that he will be producing copies of documents at the next board meeting to show that expenses related to the refurbishing of the building were met not by the Board as is alleged in the article but by West Indies General which borrowed EC$175,000 from the bank.

He said once completed the office was offered to the WIBC as the President's office, adding that all documentation relating to the rental of the property has been with the Board for some time.

Dr Hunte said with regard to Dr. Ernest Hilaire, all arrangements for his employment were made by, and have the blessing of the Board. Dr. Hilaire was appointed Tournament Director for the ICC's Championship Trophy 2010 and his salary is being paid by the International Cricket Council.  

"This does not make sense to me except to say that this is a malicious attempt to malign and get rid of a couple of people including myself as President of the Board," Dr. Hunte noted.

However, despite this personal attack Dr. Hunte promised to continue to strive to ensure that the business of the board remains on the right track, and that duties are performed properly and within the constitution of West Indies cricket.

The WIBC President promised to provide details of the malice following his board meeting later this month at which he expects this matter to be settled.