Former West Indies head coach accepts apology from new president
From Caribbean News Now
ST JOHN’S, Antigua – Cricket West Indies (CWI) and Phil Simmons are pleased to announce that both parties have come to an amicable resolution in the claim from Simmons’ dismissal as head coach in 2016.
This is the first action by President Ricky Skerritt and Vice President Dr Kishore Shallow to fulfil their campaign promise from the ten-point “Cricket First” plan, to repair stakeholder relationships, particularly with former players.
At a meeting between the two parties in Antigua, the recently elected president, Skerritt on behalf of CWI told Simmons, “We would like to apologise to you for referring to your appointment as a “mistake.” CWI did not make a mistake when we selected you as our head coach.”
Skerritt added, “In my previous role as CWI independent director, I was involved in the interview panel that recruited Simmons from a long list of competitors and he was the best candidate. Subsequently based on the results he produced on the field, he proved himself to be a very competent coach in his time with West Indies, winning the World T20 in 2016, and now currently with Afghanistan.”
In accepting Skerritt’s apology, Simmons stated:
“My family and I are relieved that we have been able to finally close this matter and I am pleased that it has been done so amicably. Following the election on the weekend, I am more confident than I have ever been that the future of West Indies cricket is in good hands. I am a very proud West Indian and I hope that in the future I get the opportunity to try and help move our cricket forward again. I would like to offer my congratulations to President Skerritt and Vice President Shallow.”
After the court hearing formalities in the Antigua industrial court Tuesday, it was agreed that the settlement amount would remain confidential.
CWI wished Simmons continued success in his current Afghanistan cricket role and all future endeavours.
For more on this story go to; https://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/2019/04/01/former-west-indies-head-coach-accepts-apology-from-new-president/
