Chetram Singh withdraws from WICB election

Chetram Singh, president of the Guyana Cricket Board and the forerunner for the post of president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), withdrew from the elections amidst controversy about his bookmaking business.

Singh, in a media release, said that he had "accepted the nomination for the post out of my love for West Indies cricket and my desire to continue to serve wherever I am most needed. It is that same love of this game and our region that has prompted me to withdraw from this election."

"I believe that West Indies cricket needs continued unity at this time and I would not wish to accept the post of President without the broad-based support of the Board and the cricket-loving people of the Caribbean," he said.

Singh added that he was aware of the concern his ownership of the Goodwood Racing Service had generated, and that he made no apologies for a business he had run "legally and with integrity for over 20 years. During my 35 years in a variety of businesses and over two decades in cricket administration, I have earned the respect of corporate Guyana and the cricketing fraternity."

The release also assured his "fellow directors ... that this turn of events has not in any way diminished my commitment to the work of the WICB and I look forward to continuing my service to West Indies cricket."