“AS President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), I, Ramsay Ali, hereby state that I am not aware of any Interim Management Committee (IMC) being formed to oversee the day-to-day affairs of cricket in Guyana and challenge anyone to show me a document outlining same.” Those were the words of president of the GCB, Ramsay Ali, who called a press briefing to address an article published in yesterday’s edition of the Stabroek News under the caption “Ramsay Ali group pretending to be GCB Officials.”
Ali informed those present including his two vice-presidents, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and Public Relations Officer that he found the article to be very damaging and mischievous, aimed at tarnishing the credibility of himself and his executives.
“I don’t know how we can have an IMC member making remarks with regard to the administration of cricket in Guyana, when the West Indies Cricket Board, through its president Dr Julian Hunte, proposed to both His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister of Sport Dr Frank Anthony that the present GCB executives be allowed to function.
A few weeks ago, the president of the Berbice and Essequibo Cricket Boards, the two heads of the Demerara Cricket Board factions and myself met with both President Jagdeo and Minister Anthony for the better part of two hours, where certain proposals were made,” said Ali.
While he did not disclose the respective proposals in question, as this was in keeping with a request made by Dr Anthony, the GCB boss did state that he had daily discussions with the Minister, with regard to Guyana’s hosting of the two T20 women’s matches between Pakistan and the West Indies.
“I held discussions, some being on a daily basis with Minister Anthony, with regard to the hosting of the two Pakistan/West Indies Female T20 matches at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, which turned out to be a success story for the GCB.”
He added, “During our discussions, several matters arose and the Minister even exchanged some ideas and proposals with regard to the Stadium with me, while I appraised him with Guyana’s hosting of the WICB Regional Super 50 overs tournament next month, while we also will be having a two-day visit from ICC Pitch Consultant Andy Atkinson on 26th and 27th of this month.”
The former Marketing Manager of the GCB in a press release said his team of executives, some other stakeholders of cricket in Guyana and himself met with Dr Anthony last week Wednesday where matters of interest were discussed.
Ali believes that the source or sources who have been providing the false information to Stabroek News, have been doing so to not only damage and tarnish the reputation of the GCB, but also stop the progress of cricket in Guyana.
“The GCB and WICB have supplied the necessary ICC Clause and Laws to the relevant authorities, so that everyone is aware of the likely consequences of the GCB not being the WICB shareholding member responsible for cricket administration in Guyana.
While we at the GCB are open to suggestions that can improve our ability to administer cricket in Guyana, we are cognisant to the fact that elements exist for the sole purpose of destroying any positive steps we may take or achieve.
When we met with President Jagdeo, he did mention his intentions to see a healing process take place with regard to the administration of cricket in Guyana and I think we have been heading down that path, while some persons are bent on going the other way, as today’s article suggests.”
Ali said his board had taken some decisions arising out of their discussions with both President Jagdeo and Dr Anthony and will announce same after their Executive meeting tomorrow night, but remained adamant that no IMC exists to administer cricket in Guyana.
Asked about his relationship with the President of Guyana, as it relates to the administration of cricket, Ali said he received a phone call from the Office of the President which informed him of His Excellency’s intention to be present at Sunday’s female T20 between the West Indies and Pakistan, but due to another pressing engagement he did not attend.
“There is no strained relationship between the Government of Guyana and the GCB as some persons tend to think. In fact I got a call from the Office of the President which informed me of His Excellency’s desire to witness the second game between the West Indies and Pakistan, but was absent due another engagement.”
According to Sanasie, who is also a Director on the WICB Board of Executives, in one of his correspondence sent to Dr Hunte, Dr Anthony indicated the Government’s backing of cricket in Guyana and the willingness to see normalcy restored.”
Ali added that the WICB noticed the article and was seeking legal advice with regard to a phrase which states the GCB is operating in the manner they are, because of “the incestuous relationship it has with the West Indies Cricket Board”.
Ali said he emailed Dr Anthony when he saw the article and even told him of his intentions to hold the press conference this afternoon (yesterday) to address and iron out the issues surrounding same, since he felt the madness must stop.