West Indies Cricket Fans

MEDIA RELEASE

WIPA maintains its position on WICB’s ill treatment of Sarwan


15th September, 2010 – Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago: WIPA maintains its position on the misdiagnosis and treatment meted out to Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan by the WICB on his injuries suffered while playing for the West Indies team as stated in its release of 13th September 2010.

Interestingly, WIPA notes with much interest the WICB failed attempt in its release of today’s date to set the record straight with its deafening silence on the issues related to the comments made by the CEO of WICB Dr. Ernest Hilaire as well as to the correspondence between him and WIPA as quoted below in WIPA’s release.

“Dr. Hilaire had, by letter of January 2010, informed Mr. Sarwan that, following a review of the West Indies Team Report of the October/November 2009 tour to Australia, it was drawing to his attention the Board’s concern about his attitude and approach to fitness and physical preparation. The report of this review has never been seen by either WIPA or Mr. Sarwan. By letter of January 11th 2010 the WICB acknowledged that it was not highlighting any specific incidents regarding these concerns but that its letter was merely to sensitize Mr. Sarwan to its desire for a higher level of commitment and application from him as a contracted player with the West Indies cricket team. The Chief Executive Officer‘s letter to Mr. Sarwan was copied to the President and CEO of WIPA, Mr. Dinanath Ramnarine.

By letter of January 21st, WIPA requested that the WICB specify the instances where Mr. Sarwan has demonstrated such apparently negative behavioral traits and also notified the WICB that since the supposed findings of a “review team” was never discussed with Mr. Sarwan that he should have the opportunity to be heard on the matter. WIPA also made it clear that it would be inequitable to take such a report into consideration with regard to any future selection processes pertinent to Mr. Sarwan in these circumstances. The WICB has not responded on this matter”

WIPA would allow the discerning public to draw its conclusion as to which party is misleading and misinforming them on these and other related matters.

West Indies Cricket Board Inc.

Barbados: Guyana: Jamaica: Leeward Islands: Trinidad & Tobago: Windward Islands

P.O.Box 616W, Factory Road Telephone: 268 481 2450-2

St. John’s, Antigua Facsimile: 268 481 2498

West Indies Email: wicb@windiescricket.com


11 January 2010


Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan


Dear Mr. Sarwan,

The Selection Committee has reviewed the just concluded West Indies Test Tour of Australia. Included in the review, was a discussion of reports from the Team Operations Unit on the management of the tour.

Arising out of the review, it has become necessary for me to bring to your attention our concern with your attitude and approach to fitness and physical preparation. Whilst this letter is not intended to highlight specific incidents, we hope that you take our concern as a statement of our desire for a higher level of commitment and application from you as a contracted player and a member of the West Indies Cricket Team.


Should you wish to discuss this matter further, feel free to contact myself or Mr. Tony Howard at the WICB Secretariat.


Kind Regards,





Ernest Hilaire

Chief Executive Officer

West Indies Cricket Board Inc.


Cc Mr. Dinanath Ramnarine – President, West Indies Players’ Association

President: Hon. Dr. Julian R. Hunte Ĥ Vice President: Dave Cameron




21st January 2010


Dr Ernest Hilaire

Chief Executive Officer

West Indies Cricket Board Inc

Factory Road

Antigua



Dear Dr Hilaire,

Your letters dated 11th January, 2010 addressed to Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan, Mr. Sulieman Benn and Mr. Narsingh Deonarine have been referred to us for consideration and reply.

In those said letters, you refer to a review by the Selection Committee and that reports from the Team Operations Unit were considered at that review .

You go on to say :

“ Arising out of the review, it has become necessary for me to bring to your attention our concern with your attitude and approach to fitness and physical preparation”.

This statement was made having not provided Messrs Sarwan, Benn and Deonarine with a copy of the reports to which you referred and no opportunity to consider, explain and/or rebut any of the findings contained therein.

Without such information and opportunity, this letter from you is not only highly irregular but one that cannot be properly placed on the files of the above-mentioned players and whose content could not be relevant to or taken into consideration with regard to any selection for any team or used in any review of retainer , match or other contractual relationship.



These said players are always willing to discuss any pertinent matter with any representative of the WICB and, of course, reserve their right to have representation of their choice during such conversation or meeting.

Yours truly,


…………………………………………………

Dinanath Ramnarine

President and CEO




c.c. Mr. Ramnaresh Sarwan Mr. Sulieman Benn
Mr. Narsingh Deonarine

Oh Boy ...here we go again.....