Mixed reactions to Melbrooke report

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) director and Clarendon Cricket Association president, Fritz Harris, says he is not surprised at the content of a damning email that was written by JCA finance manager, Kerith Melbrooke, and carried in The Sunday Gleaner last weekend, which called for a management and forensic audit of the organisation's accounts for the past three years.

According to Harris, who is also a campaign manager for JCA presidential candidate, Lyndel 'Muddy' Wright, such a call for an audit was nothing new, as leading up to the association's 2008 annual general meeting and election of officers, there was a similar call, which was ignored and had left lingering concerns.

Back then, the association was being run by president, Jackie Hendriks, with his first vice-president being incumbent president, Paul Campbell.

"We have had concerns not dissimilar to what the email said. I think that even Campbell's side generally accepts that the finances could have been managed more effectively," said Harris, who is slated to run for the post of secretary on Wright's ticket at the association's next elections, which will be held in January 2011.

"Truth be told, this thing has been lingering for a while as a number of directors, in the past, called for a forensic audit prior to the staging of the 2008 elections."

The email, which was copied to members of the JCA's finance and administration committee, questioned the depletion of the association's financial resources to up to "14 times" its rate of collection, and reasons behind the usage of "seven years' forward monies in three years".

Melbrooke, who was appointed to his position for three months, wrote in his report: "I am suggesting a management and forensic audit of the last three years, as this will help to decide exactly what the processes and procedures were that led to funds being depleted at a rate of 14 times the collection, and us using up seven years' forward monies in three years.

"It (the audit) would also determine what needs to change and will prevent the same mistakes from recurring. It should also identify any responsible officers, so that personnel can be held accountable."

Business practices

He added: "Contrary to what everyone says, I believe and know we are in real trouble and unless we change our business practices and attitude, we, even with gifts from the World Bank, will only operate at a deficit, struggling to cope and all."

However, Basil Walker, who is president of the St Elizabeth Cricket Association and a member of the JCA's finance and administration committee, does not believe that the email warrants any serious alarm, as apart from it being an open secret that the association's finances were in dire straits, it was not as a result of anyone per se, but rather the harsh economic climate which presently prevails.

"It isn't concerning to me heading into today's emergency meeting," said Walker. "I am a member of the financial committee and I don't see the need for any real alarm. He (Melbrooke) is simplypointing out his concerns and it should not have been something that reached the press.

"I don't think any hanky-panky is at play, as it's just a matter of overspending on some projects and not getting any returns in terms of income."

Walters noted: "For example, the cricket festival of stars which cost us and there wasn't any significant return. Also, the third staging of the national semi-pro league, which didn't see another coming out of sponsors due to the financial times.

"It is not as how people would want to look at it ... there is more to it.

"But I think it's because it's election time why we are having these issues coming to the fore. It's the silly season and what you will see are people from various camps saying and doing things to make one camp look good and the other look bad so as to score points.

"What I would like to see is some understanding from various factions as to the way forward and how to solve the problems instead of name-calling and agendas," he added.

Harris, also expressed hope that coming out of today's meeting, which will be held at Sabina Park and is expected to include the majority of the board's 17 members, a solution that benefits the development of cricket locally would be reached.

"Some of things that he (Melbrooke) spoke about more than need to be responded to as there are other parties involved in funding the association, such as sponsors and box-seat holders.

"I hope that people will come with an open mind and be objective and recognise that at the end of the day, there needs to be solutions," said Harris.