Asks Elroy Stephney

“I AM not convinced that the executives of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) and by extension the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) can justify the establishment of the Hostel that is currently situated in Anna Regina on the Essequibo Coast.

The multi-purpose building was erected almost a decade ago with funding from the now infamous Allan Stanford. The-then president of the ECB, Mr Alvin Johnson was instrumental in the initial negotiations. He subsequently brought the facility into fruition. Ever since, however; the building has been woefully underutilised and poorly managed.

There was always the contention that Essequibo’s cricket needed such a facility to enhance the capability of its players and reduce the financial cost of the ECB hosting primarily inter-county teams.

I lauded the approach, since I envisioned that it was a masterful stroke into creating that unique opportunity of preparing our players in a professional manner. I thought of coaches including Roger Harper, Mark Harper, Michael Hyles and Albert Smith eager to transfer their knowledge and tap into an unknown reservoir of raw talent in Essequibo.

The timing was right as a host of exciting players were emerging such as Dinesh Joseph, Norman Fredericks, Yogeshwar Lall, Latchman Rohit, Vishwanauth Lall and Prashad Mahadeo among others who could have achieved greatness. Alas, they were all stifled by a dream that was never unleashed beyond rhetoric and mediocrity.

This sad state of affairs still persists at present as the Hostel remains a wasting monument. The building is in need of major repairs along with its furnishing and landscaping. The practice facility that was erected closely behind the building was never fully completed. A bowling machine that was given to the Board was never activated but instead found its niche at one of the executive’s home.

Within the Hostel is the Administrator’s office that was supposed to function on a daily basis by the Administrator who is being paid by the GCB. Unfortunately the ECB continues to receive a subvention from the GCB without adequately performing its administrative functions. Perhaps they are being rewarded for their loyalty and not their duty to uphold the sanctity of being elected office-holders.

With the dawn of a new year therefore, it is the desired hope that the ECB will seek to have the Hostel become the premier training facility for our budding cricketers, with all the necessary instruments that would facilitate the growth and development of the sport in Essequibo. It is time that we hold our officials accountable!”