Bruce Aanensen hits back at WIPA head

Thu, Jul 26, '07

 

This is the full text of a statement released today by WICB CEO Bruce Aanensen, in response to allegations made by West Indies cricketers and WIPA president Dinanath Ramnarine:

I had contemplated not responding to the accusations made by Mr. Ramnarine against me in his letter to the WICB president, and to let the president's response be an adequate rebuttal. However, the story is now in the worldwide media, and I therefore consider it necessary to make a response since my good name and reputation, which I value highly, have been significantly tarnished. This response in no way constrains me from taking any further action as may become appropriate at a later date.

Firstly, I am advised that the letter purportedly written by the players to Mr. Ramnarine is questionable. My information is that this letter was written by Mr. Ramnarine to himself on behalf of the players. Some players are aware that he wrote a letter to support his allegations but had absolutely no input into the contents. Others are not even aware of the letter. This kind of action is dangerous, malicious and dishonest.

Further, I wish to state that in all of these accusations Mr. Ramnarine has deliberately not spoken the truth, quoted me out of context, or substantially misrepresented the facts. I consider this attack on my reputation and character to be a malicious premeditated act on the part of Mr. Ramnarine to convey a negative message regarding my style of management and my respect of others.

The statements made in the President's response are completely accurate but are just a few of the incidents where, in my view, Mr. Ramnarine has shown total disrespect for people who do not subscribe to his view or stated position.

The primary purpose of Mr. Ramnarine's attack is to get me out of his way since I do not subscribe to his often unacceptable behavior, his ongoing disrespect for people, his penchant for publicly making statements and spreading misinformation to embarrass the WICB, and his unwillingness to respect the views of others.

In this regard, I will respond to the accusation where he says that he has asked for meetings with me. What he does not say is that these requests are to negotiate the terms of the UK tour. WIPA have rejected the standard tour contract offered by the WICB as is the norm in tours in the FTP, and asked to have the tour negotiated. The writer has requested on three separate occasions, in accordance with normal industrial relations practice, that WIPA submit to us their proposal to allow us to see what they are requesting, and create a basis for negotiations. To date, Mr.Ramnarine has refused to submit a proposal. The WICB cannot properly prepare for negotiations unless we have received a proposal from the WIPA.

The other accusation to which I feel a response is necessary relates to the issue of calling players incompetent. The statement "a bunch of incompetent cricketers" was made by an ex West Indies captain from the commentary box after the Leeds test match in which the West Indies suffered their heaviest loss in our test history. This statement was the subject of a discussion with a radio host who interviewed me about a series of matters and is not my statement. I really do not see the need to respond individually to the other allegations since my statement in paragraph two of this response adequately addresses their accuracy.

History will show that apart from his inclination to place inaccurate information in the media, Mr. Ramnarine has verbally abused Directors and staff of the WICB at negotiation meetings, and on several other occasions, using language totally unbecoming of his position. He has refused to communicate with the board's corporate secretary in spite of the president's requests. He has not been able to develop a long term meaningful relationship with anyone in the WICB with whom he needs to interface. The relationship between the WICB and WIPA has significantly deteriorated since Mr. Ramnarine's appointment.

In spite of this less than glamorous history Mr. Ramnarine continues to claim that he wants to work harmoniously with the WICB. He wants to be an equal partner. For the sake of clarity, let me state quite clearly that the WICB fully acknowledge the WIPA as the representative of the players. All of the unpleasant issues and incidents of unacceptable behavior relate directly to Mr. Ramnarine, and not to the WIPA. He now attacks the CEO and asks for his resignation, on the basis that WIPA would find it virtually impossible to engage him in any meaningful manner.

I will pose just one question to Mr.Ramnarine;

Do you really believe that the WICB can engage with you in any meaningful manner when you continue to place misinformation in the media with the sole intent of embarrassing the WICB and have referred to the WICB President as a liar, the Corporate Secretary as dishonest, a liar and a thief, the Chief Financial officer as a (expletive) thief on more than one occasion, and now this malicious attack on its CEO???

In closing, let me state that I came into this position hopeful that the rift between the WICB and WIPA could be resolved and certainly with no intention of seeking confrontation with Mr. Ramnarine or WIPA, but I will not accept, that in order to build a relationship, I must agree and /or support everything Mr. Ramnarine says and not have an independent and / or different view.

Additionally, I will not accept foul and abusive language being used to Directors or staff of the WICB at meetings or otherwise by Mr. Ramnarine. I remain hopeful, that somehow, the two organizations can work together in the interest of West Indies cricket but maturity, honesty and respect must prevail for this to be accomplished, and sadly Mr. Ramnarine has not demonstrated these qualities.

Bruce Aanensen
Chief Executive Officer
West Indies Cricket Board