President of Cricket West Indies (CWI) Kishore Shallow will not immediately resign from his position following his election to the Parliament of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and his subsequent cabinet appointment.
Shallow will serve as Minister of Tourism and Marine Affairs in Prime Minister Godwin Friday’s New Democratic Party (NDP) administration which was elected in late November. While Shallow will not step down from his cricket administration role, he has indicated that he will not seek reelection at the end of his current term. CWI elections are due in March 2027.
Following Shallow’s appointment, many observers, including veteran commentator Joseph “Reds” Perreira, questioned whether the administrator would remain in office and serve both roles simultaneously. It is uncommon in West Indies cricket for politicians to hold the presidency while simultaneously retaining their political portfolios. Caribbean politicians often move between politics and sports leadership, but usually not concurrently.
For example, Sir Julian Hunte of Saint Lucia served as Minister of Foreign Affairs and later became president of the West Indies Cricket Board, but his roles did not overlap. The additional responsibility of a government ministry has therefore raised questions about Shallow’s ability to commit to both responsibilities at the same time as his sports administration role.
However, in an official statement released on Sunday, Shallow indicated that he believes he must remain at least until the end of his current term, noting:
“My conviction is that the work ahead requires steady leadership and a commitment to completing the reforms already set in motion. It is for this reason that I will conclude my current term, but with the intention not to seek reelection.
“We have therefore conducted comprehensive due diligence to ensure all legal and ethical standards are fully met,” he said. “While there is no conflict of interest, the legitimate question is whether I can effectively manage both portfolios. Having consulted widely with our board and leadership, I can assure you that I can and will.”
Shallow further suggested that these circumstances may help bridge a gap between regional governments and West Indies cricket, noting:
“It is important to note that over the years, governments in our region have been calling for a greater level of engagement with CWI. It is fair to say that this very well may be an avenue for collaboration and involvement without being invasive,” he said.
