– ECB fails to assemble team for female Inter-County U-19 tourney

THE Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) has found itself in a colossal mess, where they have failed to assemble a female squad to participate in this year’s Guyana Cricket Board’s Under-19 T20 Inter-County tournament.

It is totally embarrassing, with the administration of the game in that County becoming questionable.

President of the ECB, Fizul Bacchus, who was re-elected last January, indicated to Chronicle Sport yesterday, that the failure to assemble a team lies solely on the parents or guardians, whom he said are very skeptical about sending their female child/children out of the Region.

Bacchus, who is also the acting President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), further mentioned that based on the parents or guardian’s decision, the ECB is reluctant to take up that added responsibility.

However, secretary of the ECB, Otto Christiani, said the issue is a straight forward one, adding that there is no female cricket playing in Essequibo, and as such the board could not have fielded a team.

“Essequibo does not have Under-19 girls. We never had female cricket here (Essequibo), so we could not have assemble a team, but what I can assure is that we at the board are currently working on a programme to have female cricket up and running in. Essequibo,” Christiani disclosed yesterday when asked for a reason.

Meanwhile, at least members of two area committee affiliated with the ECB, whom have spoken on condition of anonymity, believes the administrators at the ECB should have resigned immediately and allowed others to become involved to bring about change and improvement of the game.

Further, a release from the GCB indicated that the tournament bowls off today with two matches at the Everest Cricket Club ground.

Three teams: defending champions, Berbice, Demerara and a GCB’s President’s XI will compete against each other.

GCB’s President’s XI will face Demerara from 09:00hrs while Berbice will battle the President’s XI from 13:30hrs.

The tournament concludes tomorrow with Demerara and Berbice clashing in the final round from 13:30hrs at Everest.

The teams are as follow: GCB’s President’s XI: Varshanie Ramlal, Latisha Ramsammy, Melissa Torres, Sarai Mangalee, Varshanie Jagdeo, Bernice James, Raveena Kumar, Ashmini Munesar, Tavita Deonarine, Naiomi Paddy, Keba Henry, Kamini Ramsammy, Vinita Ballkishun, (Manager) Kenalyn Baker, (Coach) Clive Grimmond.

Berbice: Sheneta Grimmond, Rushana Lynch, Aliyah Baksh, Shabeka Gajnabi, Aliyah Samaroo, Shaiana Barth, Omadevi Matadin, Lafona Gilgeous, Amesha Samaroo, Ameena Adram, Niveena Ramnauth, Priya Singh, Roseanna Sheopaul, (Manager) Stembiso Williams, (Coach) Natasha Gangoo.

Demerara: Jinnell Persaud, Shazana Majeed, Roshine Budhu, Yogeeta Ballkishun, Jessica Orford, Mandy Mangru, Ashley Ramkisson, Casey Charles, Chrita Mohabir, Ashtie Motilall, Sarah Amin, Cherry Ann Fraser, Keshamea Frank, (Manager) Heema Singh, (Coach) Latchman Yadram.