JAMAICA | Controversy at the crease…(Questionable discounts by the JCA to the CWI) Says Curtis Myrie

KINGSTON, Jamaica, September 5, 2024 - There is growing controversy at the crease over outstanding debt discounted by the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) to the governing body Cricket West Indies (CWI).

In a letter dated May 14, 2024, written by former JCA president Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven to the current president Dr Donovan Bennett, the charge is being made that the ‘haircut’ of US$522,689.00 (J$81,016,795.00), now accepted, represents a 43.89% reduction. That’s an unprecedented departure from the decision of the previous administration of which Dr Bennett was the vice president.

The letter stated that the CWI owes the JCA US$1,190,887.00 (J$184,587,485.00), the balance remaining, as the former administration had already accepted a 50% cut for six (6) months on monies due to the organization during the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘The matter came up several times at our meetings,’ the pointed letter reads, ‘and strongly worded letters were sent to the CWI on the matter – and at no time did you [Dr Bennett] offer an objection.’

‘What is equally alarming,’ Heaven writes, ‘is that the JCA had given this massive reduction at a time when CWI will earn substantial income from the hosting of the ICC / CWC (World Cup) competition in June 2024.’

What has been described as a menacing delivery from Heaven, by a number of members of the Caribbean cricket fraternity  (with copies of the letter in their possession), is being ruled as wide and wayward by various directors of the JCA wishing to remain anonymous.

‘We are not sure of what was ever received – but there was a time, in fact there was actually a board meeting during a drought of sponsorship funds, that we joked and told Billy Heaven that as the chairman of the financial committee of the CWI, a letter should be written by him as the president of the JCA, to himself as the committee chairman, protesting payment. In fact he was urged, as the JCA president, to lobby the other Boards, demanding in one accord, outstanding payment.’

‘Since that time (after Heaven left office),’ the director continued. ‘the CWI returned with this new offer being paid over a period, following an initial sum up front.

I am not in a position to disclose the details, but it was discussed at Board level and although each territory is not owed the same amount, what I know is that all regional Boards have accepted the respective offers.’

Still being quizzically delivered, over after over as it were, however, by probing members of the Caribbean pavilion, are the conditions of the new offer and all that is duly binding. Is it another carrot being dangled, they ask, with the outstanding being promised as before but never paid when stipulated? What is to prevent this from happening again?

It's a question resulting in eyebrows being raised across the region with fingers pointing to this particular section of the letter:

‘This decision by the Board sets a dangerous precedence and could result in serious implications for the JCA. Apart from negatively impacting the programmes of the JCA how will you convince sponsors including the Government of Jamaica to support the organization when you took the decision to write down a debt that was not classified as even doubtful?

Line and length, some keep insisting, that requires respective boards, all that’s to be carefully played.

Author’s note:
We have learnt that CWI has made the final payment of the 50% balance owed so the total sum of US$732,000 as the agreed upon write off has been paid to the JCA.

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