Braving the Cricket weather

The decision of Vincentian, Dr Kishore Shallow to put his hand up and enter the leadership race of Cricket West Indies (CWI), has to be a well calculated, thought out and timely one.

This is the case because he has been part of the region’s administration for the better part of four years now.

Hence, Shallow is seeking to take over the steering wheel from Ricky Skerritt, as he has been in the apprenticeship position since 2019.

Significantly, Shallow is pursuing an ambition that has seen him traverse through the rungs.

Additionally, he is entering the fray at a most critical juncture when the region’s teams, namely the flagship Men’s senior team is not doing well in all formats of the sport.

However, one may well say that given his time line in Cricket administration, both here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, the Windward Islands and the Region, he has accumulated much experience to go along with his acumen.

His administrative data and building blocks, show that Shallow has served as president of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Cricket Association from 2014 to 2020, not forgetting that he has been the president of Windward Islands Cricket Board since 2019.

One cannot also slight the relative youthfulness that Shallow possesses, as he has the tenacity in his asset column notwithstanding his academic qualifications. Shallow is a graduate of Walden University in Minnesota with a Doctorate in Business Administration specializing in Financial Management.

A Master’s Degree in Business Administration, attained from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Business Computing from the University of Sunderland, make up Shallow’s decorated resume.

Having chaired the Task Force which developed the West Indies selection policy and chair of the Franchise Review Committee, Shallow’s role helped brought some stability to the financial well being of the Cricket West Indies organisation during the heightened period of the coronavirus pandemic.

All these academic and organizational accomplishments are add-ons, as well as buttresses to Shallow’s presidential pursuits, as they are loaded with political currency.

The reality of Shallow’s elevation hinges on those who holds the right to vote at the March 25, Annual General Meeting.

On that day, Shallow will not only battle Jamaica’s Wilfred “ Billy” Heaven, but the ingrained insularity that is endemic in West Indies Cricket setup.

As a means of having a narrative, Shallow has unveiled his plans, lodged in his manifesto leading up to the elections.

The presidential candidate- Shallow has launched his social contract with the stakeholders of the sport in the region, entitled : “ Pushing the Boundaries”.

Shallow’s document sets out his pathways and programmes needed to make that paradigm shift, according to him in “attitude, commitment and actions by all stakeholders”.

In his elaboration of the document, Shallow thumbs driving excellence as the vehicle to move and improve West Indies’ Cricket fortunes.

The manifesto also includes the strategic focus for Cricket West Indies under his leadership. To do so, Shallow proposes to get the turnaround anchored on four pillars- Cricket development, Human Capital, Commercial and Marketing, likewise Governance.

Of course, Shallow is a set batter, having been in the wicket for a while now, so he knows how the pitch has been playing, the guile of the bowlers and the target he is chasing.

Set apart, like any shrewd political personnel, attaining the presidency of an organisation such as Cricket West Indies, goes beyond the documented intentions, charisma and popularity.

Shallow is also cognizant of the snake theory that exists in elections and must be guarded against being bitten by the venomous vipers in human form.

The next two weeks leading to that day with destiny are vital to Shallow’s fortunes. Therefore, he and his team have to pull out all the stops and ensure they get that nod.