“In some cases, non-payment in full has been associated with threatening and intimidating behavior by national governing bodies towards player groups,” the WCA said in a statement on Wednesday.
PK Press Club understands that players from five of the 20 participating teams – eight of whom were associate members of the ICC – have not been paid their dues.
“We are extremely concerned about a number of countries that have still not paid players their prize money from the Men’s T20 World Cup hosted in the United States and the Caribbean earlier in the year, and in particular by a number of threats made against players who stand up for themselves and their colleagues in certain cricket environments,” said Tom Moffat, chief executive of the WCA. “We appreciate the efforts made by the ICC to date to ensure that the players involved are paid in full, and we are confident that the ICC will continue to take all appropriate action against any boards that fail to do so. not, and to enforce its own conditions of participation.
“Every player in our sport should receive the full benefits to which they are entitled and should be provided with a safe environment to play, work and defend their interests and those of their colleagues off the field, through an association of players if he wishes.”
The statement was released after the WCA board met this week in Singapore for its annual general meeting, during which it also approved the creation of a global player hardship fund.
The fund, the WCA said, was designed to support international players in need “who are not covered by existing national football support frameworks”.
JP Van Wyk, WCA Head of Welfare and Education, said: “Professional athletes face unique challenges during their short careers and we know, through the excellent work carried out by many players’ associations at national level, that appropriate player welfare support structures have supported players in their lives. We also know that, in an increasingly globalized job market, the current system presents. notable gaps in player support in the event extreme difficulties.
“While this fund will operate within certain constraints and complement domestic offerings, we are confident that it will help current and recently retired international cricketers who are currently unsupported and vulnerable.”
The fund will be governed by “a monitoring group” made up of experts and representatives of players’ associations.
Meanwhile, Heath Mills and Sana Mir were reappointed as executive chairman and independent director respectively.
