THE Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) strongly refutes the allegations contained in the Guyana Chronicle dated Tuesday, January 27, headlined ‘Only I could set the date for GCB elections’. We trust that our response would be given equal or similar prominence as the Minister’s allegations against the GCB.During the said article, it was quoted verbatim by the Minister as follow: “He (Dr McGowan) has been trying to investigate the various issues that surround cricket, but I think he has been having difficulties doing that because some members of the GCB are not allowing him to gain access to the things that he needs to do, so that there can be free and fair elections,” said Dr Anthony.

The GCB wishes to make it categorically clear that they have never been consulted by the Hon. Minister of Sport at any time regarding his appointment of an Ombudsman neither have they ever been contacted by anyone calling himself a Cricket Ombudsman.
Further in the said article, the Minister proceeds to make mention that the Cricket Administration Act was passed with the consent of everyone and that he does not consider his actions in the Act as political meddling.
Perhaps, the Minister is very loose and casual with the actual facts surrounding this matter and may wish to consult with the Hansard records to establish the truth of the voting that took place in the National Assembly in May, 2014. At the same time, the Minister may care to explain in his mind what constitutes political meddling within a private entity.
Once again, the GCB wishes to reiterate that the Cricket Administration Act contains numerous flaws and seems to have been drafted in a very sloppy manner so much so that it cannot withstand serious scrutiny.
We are also aware that the process for the appointment of the Cricket Ombudsman may not have been followed. Both the GCB and the WICB have made their positions very clear regarding the constitutionality of the Cricket Administration Act which is currently the subject of a legal challenge.
Be that as it may, the Government of Guyana (GoG) continues to totally ignore the negotiated Memorandum of Agreement made between the GCB, West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and the GoG in July last year along with the agreed upon Amendment to the said Cricket Administration Act.
We all agree that the Act is flawed and needs to be corrected. Several pertinent legal matters still engage the judiciary that also has to be ruled upon to provide clear direction. The GCB is of the firm opinion that a legislative solution cannot or should not overtake a judicial undertaking.

(Letter to the Sports Editor)

Guyana Cricket Board