Garner wins third term in landslide

Saturday, August 06, 2011

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) — West Indies fast bowling legend Joel Garner has been re-elected for a third successive term as Barbados Cricket Association president.

The 58-year-old easily dismissed a threat from attorney-at-law Calvin Hope, winning 148-49 in voting during a Special Meeting here Thursday night.

Garner, who played 58 Tests during an illustrious career for West Indies, won his first term in 2007 before being re-elected unopposed in 2009.

"I think the membership understand what we are doing and they know we have a programme which encompasses making the cricket stronger," Garner told CBC TV 8 here.

"What is happening is that we have a five-year plan that we're working on. We're going to redefine or redevelop the plan we're working on and we're going to go forward.

"The whole idea is we want to develop the cricket to the stage where when Barbados cricket is strong, West Indies cricket will be stronger because we would be supplying cricketers not only for Barbados cricket but for West Indies cricket."

Hope, who has a year left to serve as a floor member on the BCA board, said despite his loss he felt he had made an impact in the cricket fraternity.

"I would not say that I am disappointed as such. I am extremely satisfied that I let the people out there know what my vision was and still is," Hope said.

Meanwhile, well-known first vice-president Conde Riley, second vice-president Wendell Kellman, honorary treasurer Orson Simpson and honorary secretary Gregory Nicholls were all re-elected unopposed.

Former national footballer Maurice Gaskin won the race for third vice-president post, while former West Indies batsman Adrian Griffith was elected to the board for the first time.

Garner and Riley have been retained as West Indies Cricket Board directors.