… talks about plans to improve umpiring in the City

By Sean Devers
AT 33, Ryan Banwarie, who made his First-Class debut as an Umpire in February 2020 when Barbados battled the Windwards in the sixth round of CWI Regional four-day tournament, was elected as president of the Georgetown Cricket Umpires and Scorers Association (GCUSA).

Banwarie, who played a bit of second division cricket for Police, got involved in Umpiring in 2013 after being encouraged to join the umpiring classes by former international umpire Nichols. He topped the Caribbean at the final written examination of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA).

Banwarie, a vice-president of GCUSA previously, spoke about why he accepted the presidency and about plans to improve the standard of umpiring in the City.
“Given that the membership of the GCUSA would have placed their confidence in me to lead the association forward, along with the numerous opportunities provided since first becoming a member in 2012, accepting the position of president of GCUSA was the right thing to do.

“The COVID-19 pandemic along with other challenges would have resulted in a few setbacks for the association and I strongly felt that bringing myself to the table will result in providing dynamic leadership,” explained Banwarie, who will serve for a one-year term which ends in November 2023.

“There are too many to list. However, some of the issues at the forefront of that list are: providing continuous training for the current membership, planning and launching the GCUSA’s yearly recruitment and training course which is expected to commence in March 2023.

“Our stakeholders are very important and engaging them is very high priority. The association will be engaging them to find out how we can better serve their needs and vice versa,” added Banwarie.

The hardworking Banwarie, who in 2016 was selected on the West Indies ‘B’ panel, spoke of the importance of players understanding the Laws of cricket.

“Players and coaches are the base of the GCUSA target group when it comes to our yearly recruitment and training course. This programme offers an in-depth understanding into the 42 Laws of Cricket. To be an effective player or coach, understanding the Laws of Cricket is critical. By subscribing to the GCUSA training programme, players and coaches will be provided with the requisite knowledge to be effective in their field of work,.” concluded Banwarie who made his Regional debut in the 2016 Women’s tournament in Guyana.

The GCSA Executives: President Ryan Banwarie, Vice President Deon Feasal, Secretary Karen Weatherspoon, Treasurer Stephon Josiah, Asst/Sec treasurer Mark Scott, PRO Randy Latif

Committee Members: Nadir Baksh, Moses Ramnarine, Patrick Edwards, Mohamad Nasir.