Government should remove the impediments...

on the tenets of transparency, democracy and anti-corruption and promised “a better life for all”. “All” must include the youngsters of Upper Demerara, the Black clubs of East Coast and the many disenfranchised players throughout Guyana. The government cannot be seen to be supporting the illegality that the current GCB regime represents by awarding them and by not enforcing the law. It is time for the Attorney General and the Minister of Sport to defend the challenge and clear the way for the democratic process of free and fair elections to begin. It must not be further delayed. Mr Odinga Lumumba in his contribution to the debate on the Cricket Administration Bill 2012 stated:

“Mr Speaker, I want to say and as I try to argue that the present crisis of West Indian cricket and the current drought of emerging talent in Guyana have much to do with the state of cricket administration in the region and here in Guyana. My own hope is that our newly-minted Cricket Administration Act will set a new standard for cricket administration throughout the region. Further Mr Speaker, cricket is not the only sport to have had administrative difficulties. Presently, we have difficulties in football, basketball, volleyball and boxing, all of which have their own difficulties. But this activity today will prove to the wider community of Guyana that the dreams and aspirations of our youths that are shattered by a few selfish, narrow-minded thinking men can be set aside by this National Assembly.

“Leadership, and in particular ethical leadership, must be the yardstick of any social organization. It is inappropriate to put a thief, a culprit or a shady character to head any segment of society. And it is more regretful when politicians and men and women of cloth choose to represent characters who have the capacity to paint their path with birthday parties, outrageous fees and complimentary tickets in order to buy favours.

“When these things occur, the good of the organization will often derail the dreams of our sportsmen and women and their future is then cast aside. The objective of the organization then becomes a wealth scheme for the few and the role of the National Assembly can be questioned if we do not act decisively.

“This awful cricket tragedy in Guyana has resulted in the undermining of the skills sector of Guyana cricket. The Hon Dr Roopnaraine spoke well of that issue. The continuous confrontation has resulted in underdevelopment and un-development of a sport that has given so much to this nation.

“On behalf of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) government. I am proud to support this Bill and I am honoured to support the right of Linden as it earned its right to give us more Basil Butchers. With these few humble words, I support the passing of this Bill which will certainly represent the end to cronyism and mosquito politics in cricket affairs in Guyana. Thank you”.

The above represents an impressive array of statements by Dr Roopnaraine and Mr Odinga Lumumba (extracted from Hansard on the parliamentary cricket debate). I am nonplussed at the unwillingness of successive Governments of Guyana to deal condignly with this most unacceptable situation that is stifling our cricket.

In light of the foregoing, it is incumbent on the current government after sixteen months in office to take decisive action and remove the impediments to free and fair elections, thereby eradicating the lawlessness of an illegal regime masquerading as the Guyana Cricket Board. The AG must now appoint a lawyer to defend the frivolous challenge to the law and the injunction granted to stop all elections (2014-HC-DEM-CIV-106). An appeal was immediately filed by the previous AG’s lawyer (2015-HC-DEM-CIVAPL-49) who was removed by Mr Basil Williams when he became Attorney General leaving that matter undefended. Government has the responsibility to ensure that justice, legality and proper accountability are the hallmarks of any national organisation including the GCB.

Yours faithfully, Claude Raphael Former Executive, GCB Former Director, WICB