TUESDAY’S announcement that the Cricket Administration Act was restored is a welcoming sign for the local sport, according to president of the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) Hilbert Foster.

The longtime cricket administrator spoke to Chronicle Sport yesterday evening, saying that he is ‘pleased’ with the move announced.

“The BCB is pleased with the cricket bill coming back into effect and it is our hope that elections for the GCB will bring democracy to these shores and the best possible leaders will be in charge of the sport.”

Foster, who in years gone by, had been a supporter of the Act, contended that this can only mean the forward thrust of cricket, adding that he is most interested in the ancient county’s role.

On Tuesday, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr, confirmed that an order suspending the Act had been discharged.

The suspension was filed by the previous Minister with  responsibility for Sport Nicolette Henry.

According to Ramson, “The next step for us is that we’re going to have the Demerara Cricket Board elections and then shortly thereafter the Guyana Cricket Board elections.”

Tabled back in 2014 by the-then Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony, the Act sought to firstly make it legal for Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) to be established as a corporate body comprising the Demerara, Essequibo and the Berbice cricket boards, all of which will also be made corporate entities.

A section of the Act also addressed the issue of phantom voting for the election of persons for administrative positions and at the same time will give limited power to the Minister of Sport.

The role of the minister under the legislation will be only to appoint the Ombudsman and his/her role ceases.

The Act also provides for better financial accountability with the cricket board being required to present timely audited financial reports to the National Assembly, as well as the National Sports Commission.