Top Gov’t spokesman says ‘way forward not readily discernible’ but IMC on ‘high moral ground’
GOVERNMENT has expressed the view that the way forward with regard to the administrative woes in the sporting fraternity, particularly as it relates to cricket, is not readily discernible.
However, the high moral ground that the Interim Management Committee (IMC) has occupied will continue to be the driving force behind the interventions sought by right-thinking Guyanese, particularly the Administration that has invested so much capital, political, financial and otherwise, in enhancing sport development in Guyana.
Speaking to reporters yesterday, Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr Roger Luncheon said the installation of the IMC by Government has satisfied the court ruling as it relates to the matter.
Cabinet, he said, is of the view that this observation has apparently been lost to the critics at large about the very nature of this intervention.
He said Government is merely complying with a court ruling; noting that the sad state of cricket administration in Guyana of which incisive documentation about the unaccountable and unacceptable state of affairs that exist, is publicised to both domestic and regional stakeholders.
The role of the IMC can readily be anticipated, both from its composition and its antecedence.
Dr Luncheon said that, in so far as its composition is concerned, the Clive Lloyd-led body can be expected to perform with regard to cricket administration in the best interest of the sport in the country and in terms of antecedence, the objectionable current reality will provide for the body to formulate and implement appropriate remedies. These, he said, are the functions expected of the IMC.
“Those special interests that seek to defend the status quo ought not to be encouraged in their detrimental intrigues against the IMC and essentially against the future of cricket in Guyana,” he asserted.
Cabinet has declared that the opportunity to present the merits of the court’s decision to all and sundry particularly the domestic and regional stakeholders would be seized and aggressively encouraged
He noted too, that equally important is the voice of the political leadership in CARICOM and said that “it is our expectation that a move to solicit that body and its inputs into the matter affecting cricket administration in Guyana and the relationship subsequent to the appointment of the IMC, that political considerations will be brought to bear.”
In December, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport announced the formation of a 15-member IMC, based on the Chief Justice, Ian Chang’s ruling on August 22, 2010.
Part of his findings stated that, “it is a matter of common knowledge that there exists a Ministry responsible for Sport in general.
This indicates that the State has assumed responsibility for the welfare, promotion and proper administration of sports in Guyana and that, since in the present state of affairs, while a legislative structure for the administration of cricket is desirable, there may be the immediate need for the Minister responsible for Sport to impose his executive will in the national interest until such time as Parliament can provide a more permanent welfare structure.”
The IMC will be in place for a limited period of six months, during which it would be reporting to the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony on a monthly basis.
Upon completion of its work, it will report on its major findings, make recommendations for the way forward and invite an authority with competence in electoral matters to hold elections for office-bearers at both the regional and national levels.