Latest update March 19th, 2024 12:59 AM
Sep 26, 2016 Features / Columnists, Letters
Dear Editor;
Here is a mind boggling, uncomforting and frustrating scenario with respect to sports – cricket to be precise. It is a story very difficult to fathom as told to me by two friends who are leading executive members of the Upper Demerara Cricket Association – U.D.C.A.
The story is about the Guyana Cricket Board – G.C.B, a most tangled web shrouded in confusion which ought to capture in all seriousness the attention of the Ministry of Sports, the Director of Sports and indeed the present administration if it is truly bent on having things done in a transparent and democratic manner.
For some time now these two gentlemen have been grumbling, complaining and criticizing what they have referred to as the undemocratic manner in which the G.C.B is being managed since 2011, and worst of all the disregard and contempt towards the U.D.C.A. As was explained to me, cricket in Guyana is the only sport that has been through Parliament where a bill was enacted to push the game forward, but sadly is being trampled upon.
This bill was passed in Parliament and assented to by the then President – the same which is now being challenged by the present G.C.B administration.
The U.D.C.A, I was told is legally constituted and is officially a part of G.C.B structure, but is being shunned by the G.C.B and thus is not being invited to meetings and not being informed of anything.
As was explained, the East Bank Cricket Board (E.B.C.B) was insisting and forcing a false claim that the U.D.C.A is a part of them and so comes under their administration and control. This the U.D.C.A strongly objects to and remains adamant, maintaining that they are an autonomous and independent body.
The brothers, to back-up their argument, made mention of an injunction against the very E.B.C.B, prohibiting them from interfering in the business of the U.D.C.A.
This move they claim has earned them the wrath of the Demerara Cricket Board (D.C.B) and so is being pressured and victimized by them; whereas the D.C.B cannot be said to be functioning legitimately since that body itself has been interdicted from doing so.
All of this have led to them – U.D.C.A – not receiving any subvention form the D.C.B and further has a telling effect on their young players, some with great potentials who are denied participation in matches whereby they can exhibit their talent.
As I see it, these two executives of the U.D.C.A no doubt have premised their contention on the fact that the G.C.B ought to be the representative body selected from the various cricket clubs/associations from the three counties – Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice – but according to them, when elections were held, only the Essequibo Cricket Board was in attendance, Demerara and Berbice were absent, thus they hadn’t a quorum – hence no legitimacy.
Yet for some reason the elections were upheld, executives endorsed and installed, that was in 2011. My question is: who presided over the elections, endorsed and installed them?
Editor, what these two brothers were trying to explain to me was like a conundrum; had my head in a spin. I just couldn’t figure it out. They spoke of things that were/are straight forward as per rule but are not being done – all in brazen violation of said rule(s).
They spoke of court orders, rulings, injunctions and such likes against the present “illegal executives”, yet in spite of them all, that body remains firmly grounded and well entrenched conducting business as usual, as if the court is ignored.
If as they claimed the current G.C.B administration were sanctioned against by the court, how then they remain put in bold violation of the law?!
I listened as they talked about the controversies within the G.C.B, about former well respected cricketers and administrators who are equally aggrieved with the current status of cricket in Guyana and the affairs of the G.C.B – but have themselves “chucked” as we say – in frustration as if all is lost, as I wondered aloud; with all those big-wigs of this game, don’t they have a voice that can be heard? Why are they watching silently, one court order to the next being tossed aside and nothing being done? Then indeed something just ain’t right. It seems beyond ridiculousness.
If senior, respected and principled members can’t stand firm and resolutely demand that the democratic procedure by which their organization is guided be upheld, then for me they are demonstrating a weakness which is not fit for leadership role or they themselves are not that mindful for any change and are satisfied with the present scheme of things.
I was also informed that when disgruntled members tried to get W.I.C.B President Mr. Dave Cameron involved when he was here, he dismissed them saying: “I didn’t come for that” contending to play ball with whoever was at the helm. And in thinking about his stand, I’ll say he was right, why can’t the G.C.B solve their problems.
Well, if the Attorney General who knows all about what is happening, was present at meetings, yet principles, rule of law, court orders are all disregarded , then what next?!
Frank Fyffe
Listen to the man that is throwing Guyanese bright future away
Mar 19, 2024
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