Former JamaicaN Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, and his governance committee on West Indies cricket, have hit out at the region's governing body for its lack of interest.

In a four-page letter - which was copied to the media - signed by Patterson, Sir Alister McIntyre and Dr Ian McDonald and addressed to West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Dr Julian Hunte, the committee members expressed their disappointment with the WICB hierarchy.

The governance committee, which was chaired by Patterson, was commissioned by then WICB president, Ken Gordon, in February 2007, to examine the structure of West Indies cricket and make recommendations.

In its letter, the committee said though they were a little late with their final report, they were initially disgusted that they did not get a chance to present or discuss it with the full board.

Non-transparency and reluctance to change; support for schools and clubs by territorial boards; identifying and remedying players' weaknesses; poor public relations; an academy; player issues, which include training, fitness, health, discipline, anti-doping, preparation, coaching and players in waiting; lack of resources for the Windwards and the Leewards; lack of territorial development officers and professional league, were many of the areas recommended for attention by the committee.

Now, according to the committee, "... after more than a year, the people of the West Indies are still in the dark as to the outcome of your deliberations and the consequent fate of our report. There have been innumerable comments and enquiries in the public press from players, writers and lovers of the game, to which no reply has been forthcoming from the WICB," the letter continued.

Special review

Dr Hunte, in a statement, said on February 23 the board of directors of the WICB, together with senior officials of the six territorial boards, held a special session to review the recommendations of the governance committee of the board.

"The review was the culmination of an internal process which started in late October, 2007, when the committee presented its peport to the board. At that time, it was agreed that the territorial boards would discuss the report and their views, recom-mendations and concerns would be addressed at a special meeting of the board," read Dr Hunte's statement, which was circulated in February.

"The review process identified that many of the recommendations of the committee were already being implemented and that most of the others were already incorporated into the board's draft strategic plan," continued Dr Hunte's statement, which he said was presented and approved in principle at the board meeting on February 23.

No communication

The Patterson Committee said, however, while the board rejected its recommendation to reduce the number of territorial directors, this was not communicated at the meeting in St Lucia.

"We left the meeting in St Lucia without any knowledge or intimation as to what the executive committee was likely to recommend to the full board. And we are still to hear what the board finally decided, notwithstanding your assurance that instructions had been given for this to be conveyed," the committee's letter to Dr. Hunte further stated.

In the WICB strategic plan, these points were outlined as the main objectives: outdated governance structure; slow and ineffectual decision-making; precedence of parochial as opposed to regional interests; weak communication between the secretariat and the territorial boards; and, excessive board involvement to the point of micro-management.

These, according to the governance committee, "... are also reflected in our report".

Demise of cricket

The committee said the WICB failed to understand that West Indies cricket belonged to the people of the region.

"As presently structured, the WICB, as the trustees, has no obligation to account for its decisions and actions to the numerous stakeholders. Unless extensive changes are made to the existing governance structure, and soon, we fear the eventual demise of 'cricket, lovely cricket'."

In its final sentence, the committee said: "We have no interest in embroiling West Indies cricket into more controversy, but we can no longer remain silent."

Several calls to Dr Hunte's phones ended unsuccessfully, and a message left was not returned.