Johnson throwing his support behind Singh

Jan 07, 2009 Sports

Pulls out of GCB’s Presidential race

Now that incumbent Chetram Singh has publicly announced that he is seeking re-election as President of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), the Board’s Vice President Alvin Johnson told Kaieteur Sports Monday night that he has withdrawn as a candidate for the presidency.

Alvin Johnson (right) and incumbent GCB Head Chetram Singh (left standing) watch as GCB Secretary and Presidential candidate Bish Panday signs the contract for the Essequibo Cricket hotel and indoor facility last year.

The affable Essequibo Cricket Board President informed that an official press release explaining his decision would have been sent to the media yesterday.

“When I became a member of the GCB in 2000, Chetram Singh made me feel comfortable and welcomed and has been very supportive of me and to me as Vice President. He is largely responsible for what I have achieved at the GCB. I therefore feel committed, at this crucial time, to supporting Mr. Singh instead of contesting against him,” Johnson said.

Johnson stressed that this was his personal position and not the position of the Essequibo Cricket Board whose elections are set for Sunday in Johnson’s home town of Parika.

“I hope that the ECB members will do likewise, whosoever they are. This is not the time for dividing the GCB but unifying it. Decisions off the field in 2008 have adversely affected the game on the field at various levels. It is imperative that we get our national game back on track without delay, hence, I am prepared to work with Chetram Singh and a dedicated team of executives whose primary focus is the improvement of our cricket,” the 51-year-old headmaster continued.

Johnson, the manager of the Guyana under-19 team since 2003, thanked all those who indicated their support for him as President of the GCB and those who would have done so had he not withdrawn and said he was still counting on their support during his future involvement in the administration of cricket in Guyana. (Sean Devers)