CWI’s Kishore Shallow and PM Gonsalves spar on a political wicket
President of Cricket West Indies, Dr Kishore Shallow has defended his stance to remain as head of the regional body despite his decision to contest the next general elections on a New Democratic Party (NDP) ticket.
“Participation in national politics does not prohibit anyone from being the president of Cricket West Indies,” Dr Shallow retorted to SEARCHLIGHT on Monday, one day after Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves commented on radio that Shallow should think about vacating his position as CWI President.
Speaking on WEFM’s “Issue at Hand” programme on Sunday, February 9, 2025, Gonsalves voiced strong objections over Shallow holding the position of CWI President while taking part in electoral politics as a member of the NDP. Shallow has been selected to contest the North Leeward seat which was very narrowly won by the ULP’s Carlos James in the 2020 general elections by a single vote.
Gonsalves’ comments came days after St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) was informed that the country would not be getting any games in the 2025 Australia tour of the Caribbean.
Shallow has said that SVG has three other hosting opportunities this year- hosting of two first class matches, hosting the West Indies Women’s Blaze, and South Africa Men’s A team tour of West Indies, which includes two test matches and three 50 overs matches.
The Prime Minister said that while the country is happy to host the women, it was given assurances about Australia but that has not come to fruition.
“I do not want to suggest at all that there’s any perfidy involved. I will never suggest that the President of Cricket West Indies- because of his membership of the New Democratic Party, and he’s running as a candidate- I’ll never suggest that he’d want to see St Vincent and the Grenadines disadvantaged in an election year,” Gonsalves said on radio.
He added, “I wouldn’t make that suggestion at all. That’s why I say. I wouldn’t say that there’s any perfidy at stake, but it raises the question which I’ve raised from the very beginning, and which leaders in CARICOM have raised.
“I wasn’t at the meeting in Guyana…I had some pressing business after the meeting…I had to come back, but I had a representative, the foreign minister was there at that meeting….
“I know it was raised. It is entirely inappropriate; and I want the region to quote me on this. It is entirely inappropriate for the President of Cricket West Indies to remain as President of Cricket West Indies while he is an active politician to compete for electoral office in one of those territories, St Vincent and the Grenadines…” Gonsalves stated.
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