Windies board and players' association sign agreements

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) have formally brought an end to the impasse that has plagued regional cricket for almost two years, with the signing of agreements relating to their outstanding issues.

A WICB release, following the regional cricket Development Workshop in Antigua, revealed both parties have signed the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Memorandum of Understanding and a Code of Conduct for players and officials, which should end the differences that have threatened or affected several tours over the past 22 months.

These agreements were, the statement quoted Dinanath Ramnarine, WIPA president, as saying, "The formal acknowledgement by the West Indies Cricket Board that the WIPA is a full partner in the process of taking West Indies cricket forward."

Gordon pointed out to the more than 50 representatives of stakeholder groups in regional cricket that the WICB was extremely aware of its responsibilities to the West Indian people and that "we have a board that genuinely wants to take cricket to a higher level, but we need help and institutional support".

Gordon also promised participants that the board will take their proposals seriously and, through the Cricket Committee headed by Clive Lloyd, place a high priority on implementing them.

In his closing address, Gordon pointed to the track record of achievement demonstrated by the WICB under his leadership. He stressed that the organisation's public commitments regarding several issues, including the Lucky report, the player impasse, taking the best team to Australia and reducing the board's deficit, were all achieved. "We ask you to recognise we said what we were going to do and have done them," Gordon emphasised.

He also thanked the Stanford organisation for its support for the workshop and on the success of the 20/20 tournament. "20/20 is now part of cricket life in the Caribbean," Gordon declared, "and we must continue with it. We will continue to leave the door open. If Mr Stanford and his group find a way to work with us, we will be delighted. The board is appreciative of what Mr Stanford has done."