I WISH to extend my appreciation and to congratulate Mr. Claude Raphael for his open exposure in the Stabroek News 20-07-2012 of those individuals who call themselves Chairman and Secretary of the Essequibo Cricket Board from some of these non-functioning area committees that are questionable and are under scrutiny. On February 15, 2012 an IMC meeting in the boardroom of the Bacchus Complex at Affiance was attended by cricket-legend administrator, Mr. Clyde Lloyd and several cricket officials.
At this meeting there was no member from the Essequibo Cricket Board or any cricket coach although it was announced that the Essequibo Board Secretary was responsible for making all the arrangements for that meeting. However, several persons turned up since many clubs were unaware of the change from the Regional Boardroom venue to the Affiance location which caused several clubs from north and Pomeroon areas committees to be misinformed of the venue although the North committee Chairman and former chairman were present at the IMC meeting.
At the last bi-annual general meeting of the Essequibo Cricket Board at the Anna Regina Hostel no member from the North committee was elected on the Essequibo Board for several reasons, but the Chairman and Treasurer of the North Committee attended the IMC meeting with their personal agendas.
At this IMC meeting Mr. Clive Lloyd and his delegation made it quite clear to the participants that the IMC was formed through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport not to take over the cricket administration but to put systems and procedures in place since there are several issues and concerns that are affecting the transparency of the Guyana Cricket Board. The representative from South and Central Essequibo told the IMC that for too long these area committees never held any Annual General Meeting to let the clubs know the status of the committee, but a few selected themselves and gave it to the Essequibo Cricket Board as if they were elected.
What was amazing at this IMC meeting in the presence of the North Essequibo Cricket committee Chairman and he was selected as the Essequibo Board Chairman could not respond to allegations made by a club member who produced documents to the IMC delegation to show that the North Essequibo Cricket Committee is highly corrupt as they had refused to disclose two GNCB bank accounts.
Moreso, the IMC was told at any AGM this current non-functioning north committee fabricated mushroom clubs to vote at the AGM while the IMC was also told current north chairman was a former policeman in the police force and went as an athlete with the Guyana team to America, but failed to return with the team until he was sent back to Guyana from America.
Also in 2012 this north committee chairman was suspended by the Anna Regina Town Council for one year from the Anna Regina Centre, while there is a matter in the High Court pending against the north Essequibo Committee while there is need to have transparent election for these area committees and to take good example from the management of the Berbice Cricket Board.