GCB propose to upgrade LBI facility but still awaits confirmation

Apr 20, 2015 Sports

The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) made a proposal to both the Government of Guyana and Guysuco to upgrade the facility at La Bonne Intention (LBI), but they are still awaiting confirmation to proceed. This disclosure was made public by president of the GCB Drubahadur at a press briefing held yesterday at LBI.

President of the GCB Drubahadur (centre) addresses the media with former test players Alvin Kallicharran (left) and Colin Stuart.

The president explained that the board do encounter some difficulty to acquire grounds to host inter-county competitions adding that clubs do facilitate them, but they would like to have their own facility. He pointed out that the board has been engaging both the Government of Guyana and Guysuco for several years now and is awaiting the formal legal documentation to facilitate this development, stating that the LBI facility can house the National Academy for cricket in Guyana.
“Former Minister of Agriculture, Robert Persaud had instructed Guysuco a few years ago to hand over the facility to the GCB but Guysuco has been dragging its foot in this matter hindering our development efforts. A draft Memorandum of Agreement was since presented by the Board to Guysuco and there has been little or no movement on the part of Guysuco to make this a reality,” he added.
The president stated that the GCB has already developed and presented an impressive proposal to Guysuco for a lease and the Board will invest approximately $600 million in the next few years to put in practice wickets, fencing, raising the ground, lights and carrying out other general advancement to benefit the cricketing community.
Drubahadur explained that the Board cannot invest that kind of money without proper documentation. “The GCB has invested close to $75m a few years ago to construct the existing hostel at that location and over the years the Board has saved a lot of accommodation expenses with the use of this hostel,” he said.

The current state of the LBI ground.

The facility has deteriorated tremendously and Drubahadur informed that they are very serious about obtaining this facility.
“The WICB launched its Professional Cricket League last year and the Guyana Jaguars has placed first lien on the inaugural competition that concluded last month. Cricket Guy Inc has contracted 15 players and an additional 12 players that are training year round. Our country is not short on cricket grounds but the system for the management; control and use of these venues leave much to be desired. The cricket board is being stifled from executing its mandate by these repressive and vindictive measures by a few persons in authority yet still the Board is being blamed for anything that goes wrong,” he lamented.
GCB Territorial Developmental Officer, Colin Stuart explained that there is a major challenge to acquire venues to host matches during inter county tournaments. “We have been shifting matches too often due to grounds being booked for other activities. This is no fault of the Clubs as they try their best to accommodate us. Clubs have been forced to lease their facilities for non-cricketing activities in order for them to survive. We need our own venue, training is essential and I think this LBI ground is the ideal venue since our hostel is already in the compound,” he said.
Former West Indies batsman, Alvin Kallicharran, said it is sad to see the current state of the LBI facility going to waste like this adding that the vision the GCB has for the facility will tremendously benefit everyone involved, hence, he is hoping GUYSUCO and/or the Government will facilitate the proposal of the GCB.
Kallicharran conducted sessions for the teams involved in the current GCB/Raj Singh Insurance Brokers Inter-county U19 competition.
He thanked the GCB for inviting him to work with the youths, noting that it is the first time in his entire career that he had been invited back home to be part of the cricket development process. He lauded the GCB and promised to make a difference with his skills and expertise he has gained over the years.
He told the players that the GCB has created the opportunity for them to play this great game and they should not let it go in vain. He asked them to follow up on this by committing themselves to continuous training.
“Ask yourselves what your next challenge is; do you want to play for Guyana and the West Indies? One half -century wouldn’t get you selected, you have to make centuries consistently. Do the simple things correctly over and over and you will be successful. Don’t cry out that you have problems. Your problem is not that huge that it cannot be solved. Continue to bowl, bat and field for long hours and there wouldn’t be a problem,” said Kallicharran. The Inter-County competition continues today with the one day version.