CWI to challenge court ruling against Bassarath

ANTIGUA (CMC):

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has made clear its intention to appeal a ruling by the High Court of Guyana regarding the appointment of its vice-president Azim Bassarath.

Yesterday morning, the High Court of Guyana ruled in favour of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), which had challenged the election of Bassarath.

Bassarath was elected as CWI vice-president at the 24th annual general meeting in Antigua on March 25, 2023, where he ran unopposed. He gained six votes with two voting against, while four abstained.

However, a case was brought against Cricket West Indies Inc., Bassarath, and Gregory Nicholls, the returning officer, all of whom were named as respondents in the action.

Through counsel, the respondents contended that the court was without jurisdiction to hear the matter and that disputes of this nature should be resolved through arbitration.

On the contrary, the court decided it had jurisdiction and granted the orders sought by the GCB.

In a press release issued yesterday, CWI said it would appeal the decision.

“The respondents respectfully differ with the court’s ruling. Consequently, CWI has instructed its legal team to immediately file an appeal and will await the decision of the appellate court,” it stated.

Prior to the elections last year, the GCB nominated Bassarath but subsequently withdrew its nomination in writing before the elections were held, but after the nomination period had closed.

At the elections, the GCB’s representatives restated the Board’s withdrawal of the nomination and objected to CWI’s decision to proceed with the election of Bassarath even though the nomination was withdrawn.

The GCB said the decision to withdraw its nomination of Bassarath was taken after the Guyana Board received certain information just prior to the CWI elections, that included serious allegations of misconduct at the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board.