Government Minister intervenes in GCB squabble

Aug 14, 2010 Sports

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Says Guyana’s participation in S/Africa will benefit entire country

By Sean Devers
The pace off the field seems even more hectic than the training session on it for the Guyana team preparing to represent the Caribbean in the Airtel Champions League 20/20 cricket tournament next month in South Africa.
In the latest twist to the contract issue saga between the player’s representative WIPA and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), President of the GCB Chetram Singh told Kaieteur Sport that after a meeting with the Acting Sports Minister Irfaan Ali, himself and National Captain Ramnaresh Sarwan yesterday ‘consensus on various aspects of the Guyana team’s participation in South Africa was reached.
It appears that there is calm after the storm and the players can now fully focus on getting physically and mentally ready for the tough Champions League assignment. It is also understood that the players have gotten what it wanted including the 75% share of money earned in South Africa instead of the 50-50 share the GCB had originally proposed.
Sports Minister Dr Frank Anthony will return from an overseas engagement in the last week of this month and Ali, Guyana’s Housing and Water Minister, is acting on his behalf.
The Minister told Kaieteur Sports yesterday that he was satisfied with yesterday’s discussions adding that all efforts are now directed towards ensuring the team is properly prepared to bring glory to Guyana.
Although Ali’s ministerial duties are away from Sports, he is an avid cricket fan and even participated in a practice game with the Guyana team in Wakanaam earlier this year. He will have a personal interest in the team doing well as a fan.
Ali urged the players and executives to remain focused on the task that lies ahead, to be committed to that task and to exercise the necessary discipline that would ensure that Guyana is victorious.  “I was pleased to see the spirit of unity which was demonstrated today (yesterday) in the agreement between the parties and I am confident that if everyone play as a team Guyana will be successful,” the Minister said.
While the Government has promised support to the team’s preparation and the free use of the Guyana National Stadium at a time when there are several other activities scheduled there, Ali said they will not interfere with how the GCB run its cricket.
“They (GCB) are arranging to bring Trinidad and Tobago to play two matches here and we are also working along with them to acquire a sponsor for the team in South Africa,” Ali informed.
Singh confirmed that the GCB and the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) is arranging the Guyana/T&T matches later this month.  “We were supposed to have an executive meeting today (yesterday) but it will now take place on Tuesday and several things concerning Guyana’s preparation will be discussed. We will look at a proposal to have Roger Harper (former West Indies player and Coach) work with the present coaching staff before the team leaves and also at the possibility of having a practice game or two in Barbados before we leave for South Africa,” Singh revealed.
It is understood that the GCB on Thursday secured an interim injunction against WIPA and the West Indies Player management Company Limited (WIPMACOL) which restrains the parties named from interfering in a contract which exists between the local body and the Board of Cricket Control in India.
According to reports, the GCB approached Chief Justice (Ag) Ian Chang to protect the agreement it has signed for the Guyanese cricketers to appear in the Champion’s League Twenty20 in South Africa next month, and the order was made. The injunction bars the parties named in the action from doing any act which has the tendency of causing or inducing the GCB to dishonour or act in breach of the agreement for Guyana to participate in the upcoming tournament.
Singh said that after yesterday’s meeting with the Minister he no longer saw the need to follow up legal action planned against WIPA.
“I am not a legal person so I don’t want to comment on if it was an injunction or interim injunction that was secured. What I can say is that after today’s (Yesterday’s) meeting we have agreed on several issues and now everyone should be focusing on giving the team the best chance to be successful in South Africa,” Singh said.
The GCB having signed an agreement with the Champions League Twenty20 (CLT20), subsidiary of the Board of Cricket Control in India concluded that the requests being made could not be met. On the issue of image rights, it is understood that the GCB
lawyers argued in court yesterday that this falls under the purview of the CLT20, noting that WIPMACOL could not interfere with that agreement. WIPMACOL is said to have contended that the GCB was exploiting the cricketer’s rights by signing an agreement without prior, critical negotiations being completed.
“We are going to find a sponsor for the team and most likely that sponsor will be an overseas company. I want us to all focus on the positives since this is our biggest opportunity for cricketing glory on the world stage,” Singh stressed.
Even if they lose every game the team will still collect US$200,000 while The GCB will get US$350,000 participation fee from the WICB even after they deduct 33% of the total US$500,000 that will be paid to them by the organisers for ensuring a West Indian team participates in South Africa.
But apart from the financial rewards for the GCB and players, Guyana as a county could benefit tremendously by the team’s presence in the competition.
“This tournament is beyond cricket it is a showcasing of Guyana on the global stage and it is representing the country at the highest level,” Ali said.
The Minister told Kaieteur Sport that it of interest to the entire Country that Guyana plays in South Africa and is calling on the all Guyanese to support the team.
“Apart from the cricketing opportunities for Guyana and the players, so many spill-offs can be derived from Guyana’s participation. The Competition has a large viewership and could stimulate interest for Guyana’s tourism opportunities. Guyana being put on the map to billions of people could also present investment opportunities which could improve the economy ….this is not just cricket …this is a great opportunity for Guyana to be promoted on the world stage and I hope that all involved understand this,” Minister Ali said.
The Guyana players have made their country proud by winning the Caribbean Championships and without them now a massive opportunity for this country will go to waste.  Minister Ali seems to understand the importance of the players and it is hoped the GCB also does.

Giftland fully behind International B/ball Series

Giftland continued its tradition of support for local basketball yesterday when the company gave a heavy cheque to Wildfire Entertainment (WE) to assist with the planning and promotion of the Guyana Amateur Basketball Federation International Series.
Speaking briefly at the company’s water street outlet, Giftland OfficeMax Marketing Executive, Compton Babb told Kaieteur Sport that the entity has been impressed with the work of Wildfire over the years and they are confident that the event will be huge.
Babb said that sport is genuinely a part of the company’s marketing mechanism as was indicated with the FILA sponsorship of three top athletes, basketball player, Akeem Kanhai, bodybuilder, Sylvan Gardner and leading local sprinter, Alicia Fortune.
He informed Giftland is also a main sponsor of the upcoming President’s/Jefford Track and Field Classic to bring home is point that the company is serious about investing in projects that it feels has the potential to impact holistic development of sports.
In accepting the support, Wildfire’s, Warren Williams stated that the entertainment company and Giftland has a good relationship and it was out of that understanding that they were able to be on board the International Series that gets underway on Thursday.
Williams thanked Giftland for their support and guaranteed the company the usual high standard of WE at all the games.
The entertainment company had promised in a separate article that they will be beefing up the marketing of the mega basketball event.

Guyana continue winning streak with 4-2 triumph over Peru

In the first game on day four of the Men’s Indoor Pan American Hockey Championship Guyana continues their winning streak beating Peru 4-2.
Guyana were coming off its big win over host Venezuela that was the last game on day three and opened the scoring around the 6th minute of play, but Peru quickly tied the match off a penalty corner goal.
Following another penalty corner that Peru were unable to convert, Guyana made it 2-1. While Peru had more attacking opportunities in the first half, Guyana took a 3-1 lead off a field goal following a turn-over by Peru in the midfield; that remained at half-time. The second half began with possession even between both teams. Peru received multiple corners, but could not score from them. Midway through the second half, Robert France of Guyana had Peru’s keeper Felix Mafferetti beat but the shot crossed the entire length of the goal. Peru continued to not capitalize off penalty corners.
France continued to look for attacking opportunities; and scored around the 35th minute that put Guyana ahead of Peru 4-1. A couple minutes later, Peru scored off another penalty corner to bring them within two goals. With two minutes remaining, Peru pulled Mafferetti for a kicking back; and soon received another penalty corner. With either team unable to score again, Guyana won its second match of the tournament 4-2 over Peru.
In other action; In Pool B – Trinidad and Tobago drew with the United States 3-3.  The United States moved to the top of Pool B based on more “goals for” than Trinidad and Tobago.
And in Pool A; Argentina were brushed aside by Canada 1-4. Canada’s victory over Argentina earned them the top spot in Pool A.

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