FORMER Essequibo Senior Inter-County captain Elroy Stephney is of the belief that the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) is doing an injustice to the promotion and development of cricket in the Cinderella county.

The elegant left-handed batsman contended that as a result, players have become victims of suppression, isolation, hopelessness and the lack of competitive cricket on a regular basis. In a recent interview with Chronicle Sport, Stephney opined that the South and Central Cricket Committees have been shouldering the responsibility of organising competitions for the past three years.

In comparison, Stephney blasted the ECB for being disorganised, visionless and without a sponsor for the same protracted period of time. “I must express admiration and commendation to the two Committees for rescuing the players in such a magnanimous way by providing them with several avenues to display their talent during a difficult time” stated Stephney who is also a CWI Level 11 Coach. He disclosed that a number of competitions (Senior and Junior) were staged by the two Committees and they were instrumental in bridging the gap among the pool of cricketers on the Essequibo Coast.

Prior to the adjournment of matches due to Covid- 19, there have been twenty-four (24) teams spanning Charity in the North to Good Hope in the South that are competing.

“This is unique in the history of competitions in Essequibo and I am impressed by the strategic and systematic level of organisation and commitment from the organisers” stated Stephaney who also served as Chairman of Selectors and Cricket Development in the past.

The experienced cricketer and administrator was also a member of the CDC of the Guyana Cricket Board(GCB) who has repeatedly exposed the failures of the ECB in the execution of their mandate and governance of the game in the county.

Stephney recently lamented about the dilapidating state of the ECB Hostel and the inability of elected officials to function effectively. “There is a Cricket Development Committee but it is toothless and it will not advance the vision of the ECB since there is none” admitted Stephney who also intoned that virtually none of the sub-committees of the Board are stepping out of their crease.

“I am afraid that ECB has become an exclusive club for the boys who are happy enough to tag along and at the exclusion of persons who have intimate knowledge and practical experience”.

He further posited that the ominous scenario is reflective of a ship that is currently without a captain while the sailors are hapless. “It is a dire situation currently and not even the GCB has seen it fit to intervene for the sake of the players” Stephney opined with regret.

He has since encouraged stakeholders in the Region to continue their collaborative efforts with the South and Central Committees so that aspiring cricketers can realize their dreams of representing their country and by extension the West Indies.

“The competition has attracted players from other Regions which has provided further competitiveness among the teams and that augers well for its quality” was Stephney’s observation as he listed Kemol Savory, Kevin Boodie, Ricardo Adams, Parmindra Dindyal, Quintin Sampson, Anthony Ifill and Pavindra Persaud as among those who have suit up for different clubs and have already made an impact. Stephney also singled out Trevis Simon and Rohan Budhram as being the architects in organising, promoting, nurturing and regularising the sport, to which he acknowledged “they have done selflessly and with honour”.

 “The two Committees have outplayed the ECB in every department and I anticipate even greater innovations from them” concluded the veteran cricketer. The two Committees are constituent members of the ECB along with North, Pomeroon, Bartica, Wakenaam, Leguan and East Bank Essequibo.