Players association welcomes Caricom’s initiative on Gayle
July 5th, 2011 - 4:49 pm ICT by IANSPort of Spain, July 5 (IANS/CMC) The West Indies Players Association (WIPA) has welcomed the lead taken by Caricom (Caribben Community) to resolve the ongoing dispute between estranged Jamaican opener Chris Gayle and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB).
In a statement Monday, WIPA said it viewed the move with “considerable optimism” and thanked Caricom for deciding to play an active role in the impasse.
“WIPA is pleased that Caricom has heeded the call by Chris Gayle to intervene. Chris made a telling point which we see that the Heads of Government have picked up,” said WIPA president and CEO Dinanath Ramnarine.
“West Indies cricket is bigger than the WICB. West Indies cricket belongs to the people of the region and not a miniscule group of administrators who want to dictate to everyone.
“We fully support the move and will do all we can to make it succeed in its desire to put our cricket on a firmer foundation.”
Caricom chairman Denzil Douglas, the prime minister of St Kitts and Nevis, announced Sunday that the Prime Ministerial Sub-committee on Cricket would be revived in an attempt to broker a solution in the standoff that has seen Gayle repeatedly overlooked for selection for the ongoing India series.
The announcement came after Gayle made an impassioned plea last Friday for the regional Heads of Government to get involved.
His appeal was backed by Guyana’s President Bharrat Jagdeo who Saturday criticised the WICB for acting as if they were the “private owners of West Indian cricket”.
Gayle has been at loggerheads with the WICB ever since he gave a highly controversial interview to a Jamaican radio station in April when he was highly critical of the Board.
Ramnarine pledged WIPA’s full cooperation with the Caricom sub-committee.
–IANS/CMC
bs/vm
- Caricom to intervene in Gayle-WICB dispute - Jul 04, 2011
- Ramnarine resigns as WIPA president - Mar 27, 2012
- Governments' role crucial in Windies cricket, asserts Dominica PM - Jul 13, 2011
- Ramnarine ready to negotiate despite WICB reservations - Jul 02, 2011
- Gayle resolves issue with WICB but uncertainty remains - Apr 06, 2012
- Guyana president asks Caricom to back Gayle - Jul 03, 2011
- Windies Players' Association sues Board for $20 million - Aug 27, 2011
- Gayle wants end to Windies snub, says Caricom must step in - Jul 02, 2011
- 'Conspiracy to get rid of Gayle, Sarwan' - Dec 11, 2011
- West Indies Board insists Gayle must withdraw comments - Oct 20, 2011
- Windies Board pleased with Gayle's commitment - May 11, 2012
- Gayle's return to Windies squad stalled - Mar 20, 2012
- WIPA gives seven days to WICB to apologise to Ramnarine - Jun 23, 2011
- No plot against Daren Ganga: Trinidad board - Dec 13, 2011
- WICB offers to meet with Gayle to end impasse - Jun 23, 2011
Tags: bharrat jagdeo, caricom, chris gayle, controversial interview, denzil, full cooperation, heads of government, impassioned plea, india series, indian cricket, jamaican radio, loggerheads, port of spain, president bharrat jagdeo, ramnarine, st kitts and nevis, west indies cricket, west indies cricket board, wicb, wipa