– but cricket in Berbice likely to continue its tumultuous existence

CRICKET in Berbice and by extension Guyana is likely to continue its tumultuous existence following the Berbice Cricket Board’s elections which were held yesterday at the Classic International Hotel and Resort in Corriverton.
At the end of the highly contentious elections, president of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC), Dhierandranauth Somwaru was voted in as the BCB president, which created much debate among the majority of clubs and sub-association members, who are now contemplating legal proceedings.

Disgruntled club members are claiming that the elections were not held in keeping with the Cricket Administration Act, since according to them, some 22 voting delegates were debarred from or refused to take part in voting for various reasons.
While the media was not allowed to witness the elections, the day’s proceedings started on a sour note, with former BCB president Roy Baijnauth leaving the venue after there were some issues pertaining to the legitimacy of the notices as some club members were seeking entry into the venue.

Presidential candidate Hilbert Foster and Colin Bynoe, Chief Executive Office of the New Amsterdam Hospital, were also refused entry to the venue. Bynoe was expected to perform duties as the Returning Officer.

However, when the situation returned to some normalcy, the elections got underway during which there were heated arguments which could be heard from a far distance.
It is understood that former Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) president Drubahdur was nominated as the Returning Officer by 18 members prior to the start of proceedings, an act which created the tension.
Thereafter, in checking the eligibility of potential candidates, four clubs were not allowed voting rights since they failed to meet the constitutional requirements, according to one observer.

The observer noted that each non-playing club must pay their respective fees in order to retain voting rights. However, after failing to adhere to that requirement, Kildonan, Fort Canje, Guymine, and Mt Sinai were not allowed to cast their votes.
This left the other clubs, along with the three sub-associations candidates to exercise their voting rights.
The nomination for president was then opened, with Somwaru being the first to be nominated. However, the process was closed immediately after by the Returning Officer, despite Dennis DeAndread of the Upper Corentyne sub-association signalling his intention to make a nomination.
This left Somwaru’s rival, Hilbert Foster, with no chance of entering the race. Thereafter, Chronicle Sport was told that the three sub-associations along with candidates from Albion, Port Mourant, Blairmont, Police and Chesney, casted their votes. Candidates from Whim were absent from the elections.

Subsequently, candidates from Upper Corentyne, Blairmont, Police and Chesney informed Chronicle Sport that they did not take part in the elections because they were unhappy with the process.

After Somwaru was voted in, Imtiaz Bacchus, David Black and Winston Roberts were elected as the three vice-presidents while Vickram Seubarran (Secretary), Carol Nurse (Assistant Secretary), Godwyn Allicock (Treasurer) and Leslie Solomon (Assistant Treasurer) were then elected.
Black and Bacchus are the BCB’s representatives at the national level. Following the elections, Secretary of the GCB, Anand Sanasie said the elections were held in accordance with the Cricket Administration Bill.
The elections were held following a ruling delivered by Justice Navindra Singh on September 8th last. Yesterday’s elections were the first since 2014.