CWI announces big cuts in incomes
risk-assessed and mitigated. Media have been told to “minimise crossover” with others at the venue, including players.
“This guidance provides the safe framework for sports to resume competitions behind closed doors,” Dowden said. “It is now up to individual sports to confirm they can meet these protocols and decide when it’s right for them to restart.
“This is a significant moment for British sport. By working with clinicians every step of the way, we are creating the safest possible environments for everyone involved.”
The first major event after the resumption of sports is set to be the 2,000 Guineas horse race next Saturday at Newmarket, with jockeys wearing face masks.
But the government is not yet prepared to allow non-elite sports to resume, denying regular citizens the chance to play cricket and football in a park.
“We are working hard to get grassroots sport back up and running safely too, so that people can reunite with their own football, rugby or cricket teammates and get back on their pitches, fields or athletic tracks,” Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said. “But we will only do this when it is safe and appropriate to do so, based upon scientific advice.”
The government, however, will from Monday allow groups of six people from different households to exercise outside as long as they remain two metres apart. Currently, only two people from different households can meet up.
ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC): CRICKET WEST Indies (CWI) has slashed staff and player incomes in half, in an attempt to remain viable amid mounting financial troubles due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Describing the move as a “temporary measure”, the board said in a statement Friday that it “deeply regretted” having to make the cuts but was left with little choice “in the face of debilitating economic challenges which have resulted from the impact of the COVID19 pandemic”.
The measures, adopted following “close consultation with all stakeholders”, will also extend to the funding for territorial boards, territorial board franchises along with the players’ association, WIPA.
Retainers and allowances for directors and executive management are also being slashed by half.
CWI approved the measures during a board of directors meeting held by teleconference on Thursday, acting on recommendations put forward by its Financial Strategy Advisory Committee established last month and chaired by Jamaica Cricket Association president, Wilford ‘Billy’ Heaven.
The board said it did not envisage the measures lasting beyond “three to six months”.
CWI president, Ricky Skerritt, said the current environment had required a “huge sacrifice” from the entire West Indies cricket fraternity.
“Cricket is the beating heart of our region for many individuals, communities, and economies,” said Skerritt, who recently likened CWI’s finances to a patient in intensive care.
“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.
“This business continuity plan unfortunately requires all stakeholders to make a huge sacrifice, but 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.”
CWI’s finances had been ailing for a while, a situation repeatedly highlighted by Skerritt since coming to office last year April. The board’s international broadcasting deal, a major source of its revenue, expired last December and a new one is yet to be negotiated.
With the outbreak of COVID-19 forcing a halt to cricket globally, CWI face the prospect of having to postpone home tours by South Africa and New Zealand, both of which were expected to be a boon to the organisation’s finances.