Rousseau hits at WICB duo - Demands accountability for investment of funds as cricket row widens

Rousseau

PAT ROUSSEAU, immediate past president of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), yesterday called on the board to take action against two of its senior officers on the ground of accountability.

In a statement, Rousseau, who along with vice-president Clarvis Joseph, resigned from the board on June 2, accused Richard Jodhan, chief financial officer, and Andrew Sealy, secretary, of acting without authority in investing the board's money, investing the board's short-term funds in long-term equities, falsifying board resolutions, and losing a substantial amount of the board's funds.

Rousseau and Joseph had indicated that their decision to resign was based on the unacceptable position in which they found themselves after the WICB's directors rescinded their decision to fire Ricky Skerritt as West Indies cricket team manager.

In an interview published since his abrupt resignation, Rousseau said he suspected he had been undermined by a bloc of members on the board.

"I have a feeling that it was orchestrated by those who wanted me out last year and that there was an alliance," he said.

A new president and a new vice-president for the embattled West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) will be elected on Saturday, July 21.

An interim management committee has been formed to manage the affairs of the WICB until the election. The management committee comprises Trinidad & Tobago Cricket Board treasurer Richard deSouza, Guyana Cricket Board president Chetram Singh, and Barbados Cricket Association president Stephen Alleyne.

They along with chief executive Gregory Shillingford and chief finance officer Jodhan will manage the WICB. Singh and Alleyne, along with Shillingford are expected to represent the WICB at the upcoming International Cricket Council meetings in a city to be decided.

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