WICB President Teddy Griffith cites 'personal and family reasons' for not seeking reelection. - FILE
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CMC:
THREE MONTHS after a bitter sponsorship dispute between players and the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) rocked the regional cricket fraternity, WICB president Teddy Griffith has confirmed that he will not consider a second term when the current one ends next month.
A release from the WICB's Corporate Communications Manager, Leonard Robertson, said yesterday that Griffith had already indicated that he would not stand for reelection at the sixth annual general meeting scheduled for July 16.
"Teddy Griffith has informed the member boards of the WICB, through their respective presidents, that he will be unavailable to accept nomination to a second term as president of the WICB, if so invited by members, when the term of president comes up for election," the release said.
PERSONAL, FAMILY REASONS
The 69-year-old Griffith, who came to office in September 2003 replacing the Reverend Wes Hall, said his decision to step down was as a result of personal and family reasons which would not permit him at his present age "to commit the energy and resources required to fulfill the role through the two-year period to the Cricket World Cup in 2007".
"Mr. Griffith advised the member boards that he had been particularly conscious of the rigorous and demanding schedule that would be required of the president of the WICB over the next two years in discharging the onerous responsibilities and travel schedule required to fulfill obligations to the WICB," the release also said.
Griffith also sits on the International Cricket Council (ICC) where he serves as the director representing the West Indies and as a member of the ICC Governance and Audit Committees and to the board of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 Inc.
CONFLICTING CONTRACTS
Griffith presided over a turbulent period of West Indies cricket, highlighted by the sponsorship clash between communications giants Digicel and Cable & Wireless (C&W) over individual endorsement deals held by several West Indies players.
His address to the region on March 4 signalled the start of a protracted battle involving the WICB, the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) and the two communications companies.
Griffith had indicated in that address that unless seven West Indies players, including then captain Brian Lara, surrendered personal endorsement deals with C&W, they would not be eligible for the home series against South Africa and Pakistan.
The WICB had deemed the contracts as conflicting with that of team's sponsors Digicel.
