APART from the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) who over the years has been organising cricket for their cricketers at all levels, only the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) can put their hand up and say the same, when it comes to the gentleman’s game in Guyana.

Over the past three months, in fact as soon as the May/June weather conditions were over after stretching into the latter parts of July, the Roger Harper-steward GCA has been running off its competitions for first and second division teams as well as Under-15 and U-19.
Not only do both the BCB and GCA run off their on-the-field tournaments, but there are many off-the-field activities being organised by these two cricketing bodies and while the GCA cannot match the efforts of the BCB in this regard, both display accountability and transparency.
Those two bodies have been embodying those words in everything they do over the years, words that have long been missing when any conversation arose about cricket in Guyana, especially with regard to the embattled and now-disbanded Guyana Cricket Board (GCB).
Pretty soon – maybe early next year –  elections for the governance of the GCB will be held and with some executives within the BCB publicly and privately indicating their lack of interest to head the GCB, I feel that it is time for Harper to put up his hand and throw his hat in the race.
A look back at his track record for the year since good weather has prevailed and one would see the completion of the GCA/Carib Beer/Friends of Cricket/Heroes Cup first division competition, Brain Street Under-15, David Persaud Investments Under-19, New Building Society second division and only last Sunday, the Queensway Open Cup, where millions of dollars in prizes were distributed.
In an earlier discussion with former Guyana and West Indies captain Clive Lloyd, whom Harper played under as an off-spinner and trustworthy gully fielder, the man known as the ‘Super Cat’ in the cricketing fraternity said Harper should consider running for the presidency.
“He is doing an excellent job with the GCA over the years, organising activities for players on and off the field and I don’t see why he should not consider running for the presidency. In fact I think he should seriously consider it, as he can do wonders for the game,” stated Lloyd.
Lloyd’s sentiments were echoed by several former national players, who believe the accountability and transparency efforts Harper has been demonstrating within the GCA, can serve the GCB well.
“His efforts with the GCA, once transferred to the GCB can do wonders for Guyana’s cricket, helping us to get back to the top in West Indies cricket and that, in itself, can bring more youngsters into the game, especially when you look at the development programmes for the youths within the GCA,” stated one who chose to remain anonymous.
Certainly, many cricket fans and enthusiasts alike would agree with the call for Harper to steward the GCB, in the same manner he has been leading the GCA, so come on Mr. Harper, throw your hat in the race and help lift Guyana’s cricket and take it back to the days of yore.