Cricket bodies across the world are struggling financially due to suspension of cricket activities in the wake of the contagious coronavirus. Subsequently, it has forced some boards to opt for cost-cutting to combat the situation including Cricket West Indies (CWI), which announced a 50 percent salary cut for its staff as an interim measure.
Cricket West Indies became the second cricket board after Cricket Australia to announce a cost-cutting measure. Last month, Cricket Australia had announced a 80 percent pay cut due the Covid-19.
“Cricket is the beating heart of our region for many individuals, communities, and economies. This pandemic is hurting every West Indian and this decision to cut staff and player incomes has been a very difficult one to make; one that will impact so many members of the cricketing family around the Caribbean,”
said CWI president after the teleconference meet of board members.
West Indies players face the axe
CWI President formed a Financial Strategy Advisory Committee (FSAC) in the month of April to plan out a strategy to outdo the financial crisis.
The Committee on Thursday’s meet recommends some short term measure and a 50 percent salary cut for the West Indies players and staff. Making the announcement CWI Chief Johnny Grave said the cricket board was left with no choice but a salary reduction of its staff for several months.
‘We recognize that this will cause financial pain for all our staff, players, coaches and umpires across the Caribbean, but having kept everyone on full-pay since the outbreak in March we have no choice but to take decisive action from next month on wards.
“CWI’s greatest asset is our people and players and everyone sharing equally in the temporary reduction, we believe is the best way for us to ensure we get through this crisis and protects our organisation and all the jobs in the system,” said Johnny Grave.
CWI reviewing situation to establish normalcy soon
Both Ricky Skerritt and Johnny Grave of CWI top brass assured that they will keep reviewing the situation and confident to get back to the normal operations soon.
“I am confident that it won’t be long before CWI will be in a position to ensure that the sport we love can restart and be enjoyed once again by the thousands of cricket fans across the region and diaspora,”
assured Ricky Skerritt.
The CWI CEO Johnny Grave also echoed the president and said the board will keep observing the situation closely to get back to normal operating procedure at the earliest opportunity.
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