‘Put cricket first’pleads K.Juman-Yassin
Chronicle Sport’s Cullen Bess-Nelson was on hand to capture head of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman-Yassin delivering his key note address at the Guyana Cricket Board awards ceremony last Thursday night.
Chronicle Sport’s Cullen Bess-Nelson was on hand to capture head of the Guyana Olympic Association K. Juman-Yassin delivering his key note address at the Guyana Cricket Board awards ceremony last Thursday night.

“THERE is no need for court actions. We need to and I am pleading with the West Indies Cricket Board president and constituents in Guyana, put cricket first. It is important for all persons to come together and put the game first.”

Some important words delivered by K. Juman-Yassin, head of the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) and a certified Attorney-at-Law, who was at the time delivering a key note address at the Guyana Cricket Board awards ceremony held at the Georgetown Cricket Club pavilion last Thursday night.
Present within the sound of his voice was West Indies Cricket Board president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Cameron who delivered the feature address, GCB president Drubahadur, Secretary Anand Sanasie, retired Chancellor of the Judiciary Cecil Kennard, AFC Parliamentarian Khemraj Ramjattan and other special invitees.
The GOA head commenced his remarks by commending the GCB for a job well done during the course of the year, which according to Drubahadur in his report, saw them winning the Regional Under-15 title and dominating the Under-19 with a historic double win for Guyana.
However, according to Juman-Yassin, there was nearly a NO-GCB two years ago, after the Haniff versus GCB court scenario which saw several members of the GCB hierarchy being subjected to threats and even dismissal from their respective jobs, hence their resignation from their executive positions on the GCB.
“Were it not for the courage of some members of the GCB and I must tip my hat to its Secretary Anand Sanasie who became a pillar of strength within the GCB, helping them to stand up and face their difficulties, there would not have been a GCB today and therefore we would not be here to celebrate with the awardees,” said Juman-Yassin.
He alluded to the passage of the Cricket Administration Bill (CAB) which he views is parallel to the GCB, but which to his mind has a problem, saying ‘according to the CAB, the GCB and area boards are being seen as corporate entities, but not the clubs who make up the area boards.’
In referring to the numerous court proceedings that is being filed against and for the GCB, Juman-Yassin, who also serves the GCB as one of its Attorneys, said such acts need to stop as even the judiciary is becoming fed up with all the back and forth actions that is being filed, bringing the judicial system into disrepute.
“Instead of the persons fighting needlessly, they can come together, pool their resources together and work towards the development of our cricket which can augur well for our cricket and cricketers,” said Juman-Yassin.
He pleaded with Cameron to intervene from the WICB point of view and even if they find it hard to get the two factions to come to a compromise, then seek the International Cricket Council’s intervention or cease funding the GCB.
It was a plea that commanded a loud round of applause from the audience, with some displaying broad smiles at the said time, and one that also saw Cameron, before delivering his feature remarks, responding by saying he had met with CARICOM Secretary General Erwin LaRocque earlier in the day on the topic.
Meanwhile, in his Presidential report, Drubahadur outlined to the audience the feats of the GCB on and off the field of play during the year, including the Brian Sattaur led historic Under-19 double win and Demerara’s dominance at the Inter-county level, amongst others.

(By Calvin Roberts)

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