‘Billy’ Heaven withdraws from CWI presidential race
KINGSTON, Jamaica- Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Wilford “Billy” Heaven has announced he has withdrawn from the race to become head of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
“I have decided not to express any further interest in the presidential contest of Cricket West Indies,” the Jamaican stated in a media release on Friday.
Both Heaven and CWI vice-president, Kishore Shallow, had been nominated as presidential candidates ahead of the election, which is to coincide with the CWI annual general meeting in Antigua on March 25.
With Heaven stepping back, the Vincentian Shallow is expected to walk into the role as president, replacing Kittitian Ricky Skerritt, who had declared his intention to leave the post at the end of consecutive two-year terms.
Heaven, who had been nominated by the JCA and the Guyana Cricket Board, did not detail the reason for withdrawing his candidacy, but indicated dissatisfaction with the CWI governance structure.
“My objective is to serve the greater good of West Indies cricket, but unfortunately, this is not likely to be achieved if some fundamental changes are not made to the constitution and the existing rule of governance,” the release said.
Heaven, CWI board director, said he remains “fully committed to the development of regional cricket and will continue to serve this purpose”.