IMC moves to Bernice as cricket consultations continue

Feb 22, 2012 Sports

Even as the controversy over the right to administrate over Guyana’s cricket deepens, the Government

Clive Lloyd

installed Interim Management Committee (IMC), led by Chairman and former West Indies Cricket Captain, Clive Lloyd, heightened its country wide consultations with an interactive session with Berbicians at the Berbice High School Sunday morning last.
Mr. Lloyd was joined by Major General (rtd) Norman McLean, former West Indies coach and President of the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), Roger Harper and former President of the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB), Bissoondyal Singh. Assistant Secretary Ronald Williams acted as the facilitator. The forum was also graced by representatives of the Berbice Chamber of Commerce and former magistrate Rohan Chandan.
Activities got underway at around 13:00 hrs and concluded at 16:30 with participants coming from areas across the Ancient County. Mr. Lloyd lauded his colleagues and Berbice affiliates for their dedicated work in the county even as many shared the consensus that executives of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) were a dysfunctional bunch that has brought the game into disrepute.
Accusations of impartiality and vindictiveness were also hurled at executives of the GCB and numerous examples were cited including issues involving Guyana and West Indies middle order batsman, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Berbice cricketer, Richard Ramdeen. The issue of non- payment of the Berbice Cricket Board’s subvention coupled with the arbitrary sacking of the BCB administrator also factored in the discussions.
Lloyd pleaded with those present to work towards the creation of a new culture within the GCB thus reinstating the game to its former glory days. He further revisited the IMC Mission Statement ‘To facilitate development, good governance and proper administration of Guyana’s cricket, thereby raising its standard in the country’ and urged those present to once again aspire towards such goals.
“The IMC is deeply concerned with the state of the sport and aims to work hard to promote Guyana’s cricket for the benefit and enjoyment of all stakeholders,” exhorted the IMC Chairman. He further said that the group he heads is intent on maintaining consistency and will be working to establish a legally designed Constitution in order to facilitate a transparent elections process that incorporates the involvement of the GCB, media observers, the West Indies Cricket Board, the Caricom Secretariat and other requisite stakeholders. Mr. Lloyd feels that such tactics will enhance the installation of requisite legislation with regard to the administration of cricket in Guyana, on par with international standards.
Other suggestions included adjustments to the current constitution and the enactment of legislature which would see all territorial cricket boards receiving compensation for the cricketers they produce. Lloyd concurred and noted that such strategies also exist in the United Kingdom.
The issues of accountability and transparency were also discussed and many agreed that the GCB ought to place greater emphasis in this department. There were also suggestions that persons elected on the various boards should be screened and possess the necessary attributes including competence, honesty and possess the relevant skills. The appointees must also demonstrate an interest in the sport and must be willing to sacrifice the necessary time and finances towards its development.
The participants also suggested that those persons interested in becoming members of the GCB should firstly be recommended and seconded by one of the county boards. The issue of feminine participation was also addressed and the participants suggested an increase in matches organized for females.
Other suggestions included term limit for executives, the enactment of a comprehensive cricket development plan, the establishment of a National Cricket Academy, government subvention of relevant gears, government support towards the maintenance of grounds and the employment of qualified officials in the associated regions. Other relevant approaches were also discussed.
The IMC then pledged to undertake several initiatives towards the reinstatement of the sport including a forensic audit on the finances of the GCB.
The group is scheduled to continue the process of consultations before convening to draft out the new constitution for the GCB. Subsequently Mr. Lloyd will submit his report to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Frank Anthony, who will then decide on the way forward.
(Samuel Whyte)