Wes Hall to Step Aside
Wed, Jun 11, '03
Two years after taking over as president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) in a wave of unanimity, Rev. Wes Hall has confirmed he will not seek re-election at next month's AGM in Dominica because of failing health.
As first reported by CaribbeanCricket.com back in April, the fast-talking preacher/politician is quitting the presidency to take care of "a pre-existing medical condition which is exacerbated by stressful situations and constant travel."
"As a consequence, I have decided to pay maximum attention to my health at this time," Hall said in a statement Tuesday. "It is with deep regret that I have informed the Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board and the Territorial Boards, that I will not be offering myself for re-election as President of the West Indies Cricket Board."
Hall, who ran unopposed in 2001 after the dramatic resignation of Pat Rousseau created the vacancy, assumed the post as a player-friendly administrator but, in the end, he will forever be remembered for presiding over some of the most infamous mis-steps in the history of West Indies cricket.
From the bungled negotiations that led to the first players' strike in the history of West Indies cricket to the micro-managing of the team's operations from afar and the handpicking of a below-average CEO, Hall was seen as an administrator who tried to please everyone but ended up making groups of enemies everywhere.
His decision to quit the post will likely set off a furious battle when the AGM in held on July 13 and already the names of Guyana's Chetram Singh, Trinidad & Tobago's Willie Rodriguez and Barbadians Tony Marshall and Stephen Alleyne are being mentioned as potential candidates.
The Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) will meet later this week to identify its nominee (Alleyne and Marshall are the frontrunners) while the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) is mulling a proposal of its president Chetty Singh to fill the post.
But, it's early days yet and behind-the-scenes negotiations in coming weeks could see a unanimous slate emerging.
Text of statement from Rev. Wes Hall
It is with deep regret that I have informed the Directors of the West Indies Cricket Board and the Territorial Boards, that I will not be offering myself for re-election as President of the West Indies Cricket Board at the Annual General Meeting on the 13th July, 2003.
I am not seeking re-election because of a pre-existing medical condition which is exacerbated by stressful situations and constant travel. As a consequence, I have decided to pay maximum attention to my health at this time.
These are exciting times in terms of the development of West Indies Cricket, particularly our progress towards the goal of producing teams that enshrine excellence, becoming the embodiment of world cricket supremacy and our preparation for hosting and winning the World Cup 2007. I would wish to have continued in the capacity of president to guide the organization along the path of achieving these and other goals, but I must now be contented to help wherever I can from beyond the boundary.
At this stage I would first like to thank God for his guidance and allowing me to continue to fulfill my desires which include serving West Indies Cricket.
I would also like to thank the many persons and organizations who have been helpful in expediting my duties as President. I must make special mention of my fellow Board Members, Territorial Boards, Management and Staff of the WICB, my Personal Assistant, Management and Players of the West Indies team, the CEO/MD and staff WWC 2007, the Media, Selectors, Sponsors of West Indies Cricket, Regional Governments, Saunders-Franklyn Associates, the Church, ex-players, the airlines, the various Committees, Consultants and Legal Advisors, members of the International Cricket Council, and my many friends throughout the region and the cricketing world.
I look forward to observing the steady progress of West Indies Cricket at a time that presents many challenges but even greater opportunities.