I WAS indeed pleased, likewise relieved, that finally the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) will be having its election of office-bearers on 2019-08-11 following a Court Order.

The prolonged absence of a legitimate Board certainly would have stymied the development of cricket in the county. Additionally, there were dire consequences to the effect that a faction of the DCB suffered tremendously, since players from that faction were denied selection, either to the Demerara squad or in other instances from the national set-up as well.

It was quite evident therefore that only a few of the vast pool of budding cricketers were given the opportunities – an unacceptable motive that seemed deliberate.

In all of this, the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB) and the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA) stood out admirably in the face of defiance, rejection and deprivation of funds to ensure their constituents were playing competitive cricket and being exposed to coaching programmes on a regular basis.

It is in this context therefore that Mr Roger Harper and Mr Bissoondyal Singh should be highly commended for their astute leadership and perseverance of the highest order.

At this critical time too and with the new dispensation of Cricket West Indies (CWC), I am of the firm conviction that Mr Bissoondyal Singh will be the ideal candidate for the post of president of the DCB with his wealth of institutional knowledge, vast experience as an administrator and generally someone who has the confidence of the majority of stakeholders, who would like to see a transformation in the local cricketing landscape and who will lead the fight in ensuring that our cricketers, umpires, scorers, grounds men etc. are deserving of elevation at the highest level.

I therefore would appeal for consensus in electing Mr Singh on Sunday.

Yours respectfully,
Elroy Stephney