Today, I received a really interesting phone call from someone closely associated with the WICB who accused me, in strong words, of fabricating the article I wrote about the West Indies players wearing Digicel-branded clothing under protest. I didn’t have the energy to put up an argument so I told him to check my blog later tonight.

The publication of this letter, from WIPA to the WICB, is for that caller:

Dear Mr. Gordon

I would like to refer to the on-going discussions between the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players’ Association (WIPA) regarding the terms and conditions for players for the four (4) One Day International matches against India to be held in India later this month. As you are aware, this tournament is outside the Future Tour Programme (FTP) and is, therefore, governed by Article (b) (iv) of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that has been signed between WICB and WIPA which states:

b (iv) The WICB will not agree to increase the number of matches scheduled to be played under the overseas programme during the Term without reaching prior agreement with WIPA.

WIPA has been requesting meetings with the Board since September last year with a view to finalizing arrangements for this tour to India, the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 and then the England tour. As the Board acknowledged in its letter to WIPA dated January 2^nd 2007 these matches do not form part of the FTP and require WIPA’s agreement. Past experience has shown that all negotiations were successfully concluded only at the eleventh hour. It was with this in mind that we approached the Board to avoid the proverbial ‘last minute rush’. Regretfully, the first response of the Board came only on December 28, 2006, despite several verbal and written reminders from us.

Let me also make it quite clear that we at WIPA became aware only in the last few days and through the Board’s letter of January 8, 2007 that these matches in India were agreed upon by the Board in return for the concurrence by India to play an additional Test match in the Caribbean during that team’s last tour to the region. According to the letter, the board planned these matches a) to improve its financial situation b) to keep faith with its major sponsor and c) to satisfy its other contractual commitments.

In a preliminary comment on the Board’s letter, I reiterated that WIPA did not have prior knowledge of these arrangements between WICB and the Board of Control of Cricket in India (BCCI), as the Board has indicated in its letter, and, therefore requested it to provide us with the relevant correspondence that could substantiate any earlier concurrence on the part of WIPA. Until the Board responds to my request, I am of the view that the Board has breached Article (b) (iv) of the MOU, alluded to before.

If reference is made to the DLF One Day International Tournament held in India last year (which is outside the FTP), it will be noted that the Board received US$1m per game each for the two matches against India and an additional US$1m for reaching the final i.e. a total of US$3m for that series. It will be also recalled that both the Board and WIPA reached an agreement again at the eleventh hour to share the earnings from this tournament which included a sponsorship fee to the players.

We are not certain as to the quantum of money the sponsor would have withheld if the additional Test match was not played. However, in the context of the financial arrangements that were reached between the WICB and WIPA for the DLF tournament, we of WIPA are of the view that it would have been more financially rewarding either to forego playing the additional match or to play it and negotiate for a similar package a la DLF series.

In the light of the information provided in the Board’s letter of January 8, 2007, we at WIPA find it incredulous that the Board will be an integral part of a trade-off arrangement and agreement where it will be virtually ‘guaranteed’ that “it would not get any money from the tour” and that “not only are we (Board) not making money, but the tour would generate a further deficit to the Board”. WIPA has, on several occasions, cautioned the Board about engaging in agreements that do not fully operate to the advantage of West Indies cricket yet continually require “understanding” and personal and financial sacrifice from the players.

In the context of the above and in another spirit of compromise, we at WIPA make the following proposals with conditions attached thereto:

a) WIPA will advise all its members including the retained players to sign the Standard Match/Tour contract for this tour with the conditions below.

b) we will participate in the forthcoming tour to India for the proposed match fee

c) we will take the unprecedented position of reluctantly wearing the sponsor’s logo Digicel without receiving any sponsorship fee for this tour only (which is outside the FTP)

d) WIPA’s position at (c) above is being adopted only for this tour and, under no circumstances, should be construed as a precedent for similar tours in the future.

e) negotiations re terms and conditions for matches outside the Future Tour Programme and ICC series must be satisfactorily concluded, at least, one month prior to the departure of the team/players

f) agreement ensuing from negotiations at (e) above must ensure that the Tour/matches will be beneficial to both players and Board

g) the Board will give its unequivocal assurance that it will adhere to the MOU, referred to earlier, and, in particular, as it relates to matches outside the Future Tour Programme and

h) The WICB agree as a way forward that they would agree to engage WIPA prior to the Board signing any further agreement

i) WIPA proposes to meet with the WICB on Thursday 18^th and 19th January on the ensuing series which are outside the FTP (WC 2007, England tour and any other proposals from the WICB)

I wish to point out that the players have, with much reluctance, agreed to participate in this tour. Much effort was required to persuade them to wear a sponsor’s logo without being the recipient of any benefits from such a sponsor. I hope this may not appear to be trite when I let you know that they have stated that their participation in this tour under these conditions is essentially because of their commitment and loyalty to West Indies cricket. The players further stated that they are only participating in this tournament under the proposed terms since they believe that these matches will help with their preparations for the World Cup and they are committed to doing all that is necessary on their part for a successful World Cup. Their participation again under the conditions, referred to above, is an isolated occasion, and, I repeat, should not be construed as a precedent for matches outside the Future Tour Programme.

Yours sincerely,

Dinanath Ramnarine,
President and CEO, West Indies Players’ Association

Posted in WICB Idiocy, Navel Gazing |