… Cameron not in dialogue with BCB

By Calvin Roberts

JUSTICE Sandra Kurtzious last Tuesday granted an injunction prohibiting the entire executive of the Drubahadur-steward Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) from acting in their individual capacity, after the Keith Foster-steward Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) challenged the validity of the GCB elections held in January of last year.
Back then, high profile staff within the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), namely Imran Khan, Paul Slowe and Conde Riley, were present at the Elections, with Riley making a pronouncement at the conclusion of same, saying he was satisfied with the process.
However, in the midst of all this mayhem that has been occurring with the back and forth ramblings in the courtroom, Chronicle Sport learnt that Guyana may lose out on hosting the Regional Under-19 tournament as well as the third Test match between West Indies and New Zealand.
In correspondence with Khan who holds the portfolio of Manager, Marketing and Communications within the WICB via email, it was disclosed that the WICB is examining the latest developments closely.
“The WICB is currently examining the latest developments in Guyana. At this stage no decisions have been taken on the scheduled hosting of any cricket in Guyana,” said Khan.
Information reaching Chronicle Sport through an anonymous source indicated that both Trinidad and Dominica have expressed interest in hosting the third Test match scheduled to be held at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, from June 26 to 30, while Jamaica is on standby to host the Regional Under-19 tournament which is set for July 20 to August 10, 2014.
“The cricket must be played irrespective of what people say or tend to think and if the GCB who is recognised as the sole authority to regulate and administer cricket on behalf of the WICB is prevented from doing so by whatever means, then the WICB has to find alternative ways to have scheduled tournaments and matches played,” stated the source.

NO DIALOGUE
Meanwhile, WICB president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron, in an email sent out to WICB Media fraternity yesterday midday, denied having any dialogue with Chairman of the Organising Committee of the BCB/Berbice Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Independence Cup T20 tournament Anil Beharry.
When contacted for an additional comment in this regard, the anonymous source within the WICB said “When the tournament was first played two years ago, it was done as a softball tournament with the hard ball match being an exhibition affair, so there was no need for approval.
“Last year, an application was made to the GCB for the hosting of the tournament and it was approved. This year they refused to make any application, because of the matters which were filed on behalf of the BCB through its servant, and is engaging the attention of the Court.”
Below is an excerpt from the media release sent from the WICB, as it relates to the Stabroek News article;
“With regard to an article appearing in today’s edition of the Stabroek News in Guyana headlined ‘Talks over Independence T20 still on’ and which reports that president of the WICB Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron is in “dialogue” with the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) with regard to a cricket event in Berbice, Mr Cameron and the WICB wish to make it clear that he is in no such dialogue.
Mr Cameron received communication from Mr Anil Beharry who raised the matter and Mr. Cameron advised Mr Beharry that the matter was a procedural one and the WICB had already made a declaration on the issue.
The WICB position remains, the Independence T20 Cup does not form part of approved cricket of the WICB.”
When contacted for a comment yesterday afternoon, Beharry confirmed that both the BCB and BCCI made contact with the WICB president via telephone, but he (Beharry) declined to comment further on the matter, promising instead to issue a press release.