Tony Becca KEN GORDON, the media magnate out of Trinidad and Tobago, is the West Indies Board president in waiting.
In a release earlier this week, the WICB confirmed that when nominations for the post were closed, Gordon, a former director of the now defunct Jamaica Daily News, was the only candidate for the position and, barring something unforeseen, that means he will be duly elected at the board's annual general meeting set for Sunday, August 7, in St. Maarten.
Although there are many who believe that Gordon is not the ideal person for the job, there are those who strongly believe that he is the right man for the job.
According to those who do not believe he is the man for the job, West Indies cricket, on the field, is passing through some rough times, Gordon has never been close to the game, he does not have a passion for the game and they do not see him understanding or appreciating the game enough to do what is necessary to lift the standard of the game.
CRISIS
According to those who believe otherwise, however, Gordon, a visionary and a successful businessman, has a lot to offer. He not only can, but will bring something to the table, and that is important - particularly so in this time of off-the-field crisis. Both sides have a point - no question about that.
The question, however, is this: Which is more important - a president who understands the game, who knows the game, who has a passion for the game and who, therefore, is more likely to place emphasis on development, or one who has the skills to administer the game, to manage things and to ensure there is a wonderful atmosphere around West Indies cricket?
In normal times, a cricketing president would be ideal.
With the WICB and the West Indies Players' Association in constant conflict, however, with every day, every series accompanied by the same problems, these are not normal times, and with so many players and fans blaming the board for the present state of West Indies cricket on the field, maybe it is more important that the president be one who can deal with matters off the field.
Until the West Indies solve the problems off the field, they will never ever solve the problems on the field and because of that it may be better, at this time, to have as president, someone who has the ability to solve the problems off the field.
RESPECT AND TRUST
West Indies cricket today needs a president who can manage in such a way that the stakeholders of West Indies cricket, the sponsors, the players, the fans, will respect and trust the board, and cricketer or not, if Gordon can do that, then West Indies cricket needs him.
A cricketer does not have to be the president to serve West Indies cricket or to have a strong influence on West Indies cricket - not when one can be the vice-president, and certainly not when there is a cricket committee.
What West Indies cricket needs now is the kind of leadership that respects the players, that knows how to negotiate, that appreciates the importance of mutual respect in negotiations, that is not afraid to deal with those who do not understand that, that appreciates the fact that if it is bad off the field it will be bad on the field, and most importantly, that unity is strength.
Gordon may not be the ideal man to be president of the WICB. In fact, when his name surfaced as a candidate, many in the cricket fraternity were asking: Ken who?
Right now, however, he may well be the right man. Such is the job ahead that cricket fans, those who really love West Indies cricket, certainly wish him well.
