 Welcome back to the Sports Mag Zone, we're staying with Cricket. The acrimonious nature of West Indies cricket continues to make the regional headlines. The Guyana Cricket Board is currently considering legal action to have TNT Cricket Board President as Ambassador Ras removed as Vice President of Cricket West Indies. The GCB argues that the March 25 election, which saw as Ambassador Ras voted in as Vice President, was flawed and illegal. In a letter directed to CWI President Dr Kishore Shallow dated October 4, 2023, the GCB indicated that at the CWI's annual general meeting, it was communicated that it withdrew its nomination of Mr. Basarat for the post of Vice President. The letter went on to declare that the executive members of the GCB have unanimously decided to demand the resignation of Mr. Basarat, declaring his current stint as illegal and illegitimate. Cricket West Indies has since responded to the GCB stating that the election for the post of Vice President was conducted in accordance with the organization's memorandum and articles of association. Fazir, the ugly side of West Indies cricket, has again raised its head. It has and I alluded to the earlier discussion and forgive me for bringing it out of then because I didn't realize we're going to take a break before moving in to this particular topic but it is a continuation of this antagonistic, confrontational side of things that we seem to take great delight in, not just in West Indies cricket but in many different spheres. When we talk about sport especially and the question is what kind of response do we anticipate? We really expect that as in Basarat is going to announce tomorrow morning in consideration of the complaint of the Ghana cricket board, I am stepping down. That's not going to happen and in the meantime people will be entrenched in their views. We have the regional Super 50 coming up in a week's time right here in Trinidad and the Begur. Shouldn't that be the focus? Give me the massive embarrassment that a cricket world cup is on right now in India and the West Indies, the two-time champions and then beaten finalists and not involved, couldn't qualify for a world cup. Shouldn't it be the focus of the cricket and to at least even if there are differences to not to make them public issues but again that's why I'm forgiving for bringing up the phrase I used at the start of part one but this is distraction by dotation is as far as really dealing with the fundamental issues concerning the governance of West Indies cricket. Yeah you also spoke about in the first segment because the the issues are of course intertwined when you think about it in the larger picture you mentioned that you know eventually these matters go down to a league it becomes a legal issue and then it's pending and you know nothing ever really comes out of it. The GCB has noted that if Mr. Basra does not step down they're going to seek they're going to make it into a legal matter is that another issue? Well that's why so many people want to be lawyers because there's always a legal opinion to be had a legal opinion to be sought the reaction protocols to be filed and responses to be made and then you have your big team turning up for XYZ hearing and so on these matters reflect our inability as Caribbean people to resolve issues that that really should not come to this and of course we see it all over the world where there is issues and so on counter suit and so on so I'm not saying that this is somehow unprecedented but what I'm saying is surely the fundamental issue for these individuals the vast majority of whom are male so these men should be aware that they were elected to seek the welfare of West Indies Cricket so let's go down that road let's say that the officials of the Guyana Cricket Board have determined without any doubt whatsoever that the removal of Azim Basra is in the best interest of West Indies Cricket can they explain how even even if Basra thought to be felt from out tomorrow morning and replaced by someone with the Guyana Cricket Board approves of where is the evidence to suggest that there is anything happening within the administrative structures of Cricket West Indies Trinidad and the big cricket board Guyana cricket board when was Lee was JCA Barbados Cricket Association where is the evidence to suggest that there is visionary leadership that there is not a preoccupation with scoring points and taking people to court and filing legal matters but there is a concern about the welfare and the future of West Indies Cricket. Yeah Farz you know what I want to juxtapose some dates here because I understand the point that you are making and I recognize that you're you're fed up with this never ending chaotic state of of West Indies Cricket administration but the letter that the GCB sent to the CWI regarding this Basra issue was the 4th of October the letter Basra the letter Kishore Shallow wrote reprimanding Condé Riley was the 5th of October so I am I'm thinking that within the space of 24 hours we have some crossfire about issues that involve the administration of West Indies Cricket but as you are correctly pointed out pointing out doesn't address the declining state of West Indies Cricket and let me be more sinister in that regard the 4th of October yes was the day before the 1st March of the World Cup the 5th of October was the opening day of the World Cup so therefore what better way to try to distract us the media from highlighting this this humiliating experience that we have to endure for the next five and a half to six weeks by coming up with these things yeah but go ahead one of the issues that we found a little confusing was the reason or whatever reason it was that the Ghana Cricket Board had taken so long to pursue this and I do remember in hindsight when the election was was was when it and when it happened and we were reviewing it on the show there was some talk about a little issue that had delayed the the elections and so on but it was it was sorted out that that's that's what we were told now the Ghana Cricket Board is suggesting that they had during this period been behind the scenes pressing to have this thing addressed and the reason why they are coming up now so many months later is because it isn't being addressed in the way that that they had wanted I hear that and I understand if someone lands because what had happened far as you recognize is that they had withdrawn their nomination for as ambassador for whatever whatever reason and they feel that based on the withdrawing of his name as a nominee that that should transfer into him not getting the support which eventually he he used to become the vice president or he he became the vice president on the platform of support which is GCB is now saying they had withdrawn their nomination for him and that's why lands we need clarity but but but again are we going to get clarity again remember 2019 when there was the feeling and and and the incumbent Dave Cameron said it he was convinced that he had enough votes he had the assurances of enough individuals that he would he would win the day yet again to be president of cricket West Indies and it turned out differently have we ever to this day been given an explanation by the those involved in that room to explain how those who are apparently given their word to Dave Cameron chose to do otherwise and and and and we keep going on with these things so so yes this particular point concerning as ambassador and the withdrawal of that support shouldn't we expect rather than some legalistic response or some chastening sort of communicate shouldn't we be expecting some sort of clarity some sort of rather than just saying that it has followed all of the due procedures and so on that is not good enough but again it is good enough because we we we as we we those who pursue it are beaten down by the fact that look you know move on move on this thing is getting us nowhere well look at where we are a West Indies continually sliding in the rankings because ultimately Lance and Mariah isn't this what we we follow West Indies cricket but we don't follow West Indies cricket to hear about as ambassador out of Kishore shallow or Rickie scarred or or anybody else of the administrative side we follow West Indies cricket because of the exploits of our young men and young women on the field of play and we hope to be inspired by it not having to deal with with these sorts of issues and be mindful of the fact that again where the state of our game is. Yeah as we're going to leave it there I should point out that I just got some information here accusing Dr. Kishore shallow of being unfair to Condé Riley in that meeting when he was accused of not taking his his his role as chairman of that that committee properly. I am told that he had a fractured shoulder and he was not well so for Dr. shallow to be as as as as as complaining are complaining about his performance in the meeting. I have some information here that is suggesting that shallow is being unfair to Condé Riley who as I said had a fractured shoulder we're told and was not well. So we have we have different stories coming through fires and not pleasant this look for West Indies cricket but we've got to follow it because it's a part of the the the platform that runs West Indies cricket. So thanks for sitting in with us on these two segments very gloomy segments as far as West Indies cricket is concerned but we'll follow this story and see what happens next. Thanks for absolutely. Don't get me wrong. You are absolutely right that these issues must be followed but but again someone like yourself and myself who had to endure these things for decades. Where is the evidence that the resolution makes a difference but but you're right. These things can't just be allowed to just slide back. I take your point. Yeah on the other side of the break something more positive track and field. An iconic star. Mummy rocket and her pocket rocket foundation. What happened today at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on the other side of the break.