… Time to restore pride, decency and dignity, says Perreira

By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE governance crisis affecting Guyana’s cricket over the years will finally be put to rest on February 26 when the elections of a legitimate Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) will be staged at a venue and time to be announced.
This move followed yesterday’s Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) elections where Bissoondyal Singh was elected as president.
The GCB has been embroiled in controversy for nearly a decade now. Elections have not been held since 2012 and only last month the persons holding themselves as executive members of the body were deemed illegal by the Guyana government.
The announcement for GCB’s election was made by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jr in a public notice as follows:

With the Demerara Cricket Board election just concluded as directed by Order of Court of the 15th February, 2021 by Justice Navindra Singh in Action number 2018-HC-DEM-CIV-FDA-622 and having just consulted with Cricket West Indies (formerly known as West Indies Cricket Board) pursuant to the requirements of the Guyana Cricket Administration Act, I hereby make the following appointments:
– That the 26th February, 2021 as the day for the first election of the Guyana Cricket Board; and
– That Kamal Ramkarran, Attorney-at-Law, is the Cricket Ombudsman.

The Cricket Ombudsman will hereinafter advise as to the next steps in accordance with the Guyana Cricket Administration Act according to the Minister’s statement.
The Cricket Administration Act was restored to its original condition last September. It clearly states that the first elections of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) by law should be called by the Minister of Sport in consultation with the

West Indies Cricket Board (now Cricket West Indies).
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 role ceases.
The Act, as a previous article in Chronicle Sport had pointed out, 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 (NSC).
Meanwhile, in an invited comment last evening, veteran sports commentator Joseph ‘Reds’ Perreira said it’s time to restore pride, decency and dignity into the administration of the game locally.
“I think it good to have a democratic election to install a Guyana Cricket Board after so many years in turmoil. I hope this leads to a free and fair elections,” Perreira said.

He added, “As a Guyanese cricket fanatic, I welcome the news that national cricket elections will be held after such a long impasse and uneasiness, concerning cricket administration in Guyana. I looked forward to this election to be held under a free and fair manner, and I hope it will be accepted by all.
“The formation of an elected GCB will be highly received, not only by the Caribbean countries, but also the international cricketing world because we have produced so many great and outstanding players.
“I am sure that Ricky Skerritt (president of Cricket West Indies), and CWI executives will welcome the announcement, and it might further enhance the chances of Guyana hosting either Pakistan or South Africa here when the tour is finalised,” Perreira concluded.