CONTRARY to reports that have been circulating in some sections of the media, which accuse the Government of Guyana of trying to take over the gentleman’s game of cricket, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport (MCYS) Dr Frank Anthony once again rejected these

reports as false and said they can lead to the destruction of the game.

Late last year, former Guyana and West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd was appointed to head an Interim Management Committee (IMC), which comprised members from the Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara Cricket Boards, along with all stakeholders of the game.
This body held several public consultations throughout Guyana with concerned stakeholders of Guyana’s cricket, at the commencement of which, Lloyd reiterated his body’s unwillingness to take over the administration of the game.
“The health of sports in any country does not rest on the strength of its young players but rather on that of those that preside over the responsible institutions … the role of the IMC is to provide the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and its members with technical and physical assistance to elevate the standards of the game … it therefore means that we have to work together for a good that will benefit the country,” stated Lloyd back then.
He added, “Let us help the new Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and its members, put in place the mechanism towards making cricket in Guyana the sport it was of yesteryear, as we want to bring it back and I am positive that there are some nuggets that can be brought to fruition.”
The Mission Statement of the IMC read, To ‘facilitate development, good governance and proper administration of Guyana’s cricket and thereby raising its standard in the country’.
“We also intend to promote Guyana’s cricket for the benefit and enjoyment of its people, clients and stakeholders, procuring in consistency and corporately, successful international Guyanese products and to that end, the IMC will put in place a legally designed Constitution.
“This will facilitate transparent and properly conducted elections of the GCB, with observers from the media, the West Indies Cricket Board and CARICOM Secretariat and any other stakeholder who wishes to be there, and put in place legislation with regard to the administration of cricket in Guyana in keeping with international standards.”
Dr Anthony expounded the above statement in an invited comment with Chronicle Sport. The Minister pointed out that in the recently tabled Guyana Cricket Administration Bill 2012 the role of the Minister is very limited. The Minister will be required to set the date for the first Annual General Meeting of the embattled GCB.
“The elections to the Executive Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board shall be held on such date as the Minister may appoint by statutory instrument and shall with such necessary modifications be held in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Guyana Cricket Board.”
Said Dr Anthony, “While people are saying that the Government is making attempts to take over the cricket, such reports are false, erroneous and intend to create mischief within the cricket fraternity.
“We don’t wish to take over the cricket, but rather see the proper administration of the sport, since several of the GCB members had levelled accusations of financial impropriety against some executives of the GCB, something the public was made aware of, through all mediums of the press.”
Another clause within the GCA reads, “The Minister may by statutory instrument make Regulations for giving effect to the purposes and provisions of this Act and to provide for such interim arrangements as may be necessary to hold the elections of the Executive Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board, provided that his authorities and functions under this section shall cease immediately upon the election of the members of the Executive Committee of the Guyana Cricket Board.”
Within the entire Bill the only role that the Minister will play is to set the date for the first election under the new constitution and if necessary to make the regulations to put this into effect.
“It is therefore difficult to see with such an inconsequential role, that the Minister of Sport in Guyana will be able to control cricket in Guyana. Perhaps those who have been peddling the line that government wants to control cricket in Guyana perhaps have not read the Bill. It would be useful that all stakeholders familiarise themselves with the Bill instead of allowing opinion makers to mislead them.
Quizzed on when the present fiasco facing Guyana’s cricket, including the hosting of matches at both the Regional and International level will return to normalcy, Dr Anthony said it is his heartfelt desire to see same occur as quickly as possible.
“From my point of view, I wish that this could all come to an end tomorrow or even next week. But at this point and time, the Bill has been tabled in Parliament and a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Cricket, made up of members from all three major parties, has been named to review the new legislation. We are waiting on House Speaker Raphael Trotman to call the first meeting so that a Chairman can be appointed.”
Leading up to the tabling of the Bill, Dr Rupert Roopnarine representing APNU had asked that the Bill be sent to a Special Select Committee to allow members another chance of scrutinising the Bill.
The Government agreed on condition that the Committee worked expeditiously so as not to jeopardise international cricket coming to Guyana next year.  
Dr Anthony expressed his hope that all parties will work together in the interest of the game.