‘Winning back support of entire cricket fraternity is a major concern’

Dec 24, 2010 Sports

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Says GCB Presidential Candidate Ramsay Ali

After 19 years at the helm of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) and after enduring Guyana’s most controversial year in cricket this year, Chetram Singh says he is no longer interested in re-election when the Board holds it next biannual elections next month.
Former GCB Secretary Bish Pandy, GCB Vice-President Bissoon Singh and GCB Marketing Manager Ramsay Ali are the three persons now vying for the Presidency.
In an effort to let the cricketing fraternity know what the new President is likely to focus on, Kaieteur News’s cricket journalist Sean Devers asked the three candidates the same nine questions.
Today Ali, the CEO of a leading manufacturing Company in Guyana tells Kaieteur News that his biggest area of concern is winning back the support of the entire cricket fraternity in Guyana.
We will also publish Singh’s and Panday’s answers as the GCB heads into what could be one the most critical elections in the history of Guyana’s cricket.
KN: what made u decide to run for President?
RA: I have spent approximately 4 years functioning as the Marketing Manager of the Guyana Cricket board. I fully understand the structure of cricket the board has attempted to put in place at all levels of cricket. I also know why some of these programmes have not delivered to expectations. I believe that with my ability to manage people and execute projects from bottom up, I will bring to the board a different skill set that is missing. As president I know I can make a positive impact on Guyana’s cricket.
KN: If elected what would be your major focus at this juncture of Guyana’s cricket?
RA: There are four major areas that I will focus on immediately.
a.     Secondary School Cricket for both males and females. This programme must be developed in conjunction with the Ministries of Education and Youth, Culture & Sports. The existing programme has a good base but it needs strong corporate support for at least a 3 to 5 year sponsorship commitment.
b.     The first division clubs in Guyana need urgent help in the area of funding. With careful planning, playing of T20 & T10 cricket in communities countrywide can be a very effective way to help these clubs raise funds. The GCB will get th e sponsorship for these events as well as ensure that our best available cricketers participate in these games.
c.     Corporate sponsorship is one of the key components if Guyana’s cricket programme is to produce world class cricketers. We need to reclaim the sponsorships we have lost in the last year or so and get new sponsors on board especially as it regards our female cricket programme. This will not be an easy task, we will need to demonstrate to corporate Guyana that we are competent, efficient and effective and must demonstrate good governance to attract them.
d.     A professional league is quite possible and necessary now at this time of Guyana’s cricket. One of the main benefits of this league is that it will allow our “good and future prospects” to remain at home.
KN: Have you identified any key persons for important positions?
RA: I have identified all of the positions for the new executive of the GCB. The key positions of treasurer, secretary, vice president (chairman of cricket development), marketing manager and PRO are filled with persons with the expertise that are necessary to do their jobs efficiently and effectively.
KN: What would you do to help Essequibo’s cricket and would you continue to have them in the Inter-county competition without remedial work being done in Essequibo at the club level?
RA: Essequibo’s cricket will need a “think tank” effort from the new executive. Whatever decision is arrived at, a significant part of the plan must address ways and means of improving the cricket at the club level and the influx of more qualified coaches.
KN: If elected, what would be your biggest area of concern?
RA: My biggest area of concern is that of winning back the support of the entire cricket fraternity in Guyana. The GCB has lost “face” in the last 18 months or so, the new executive has to deliver both on and off the field to regain the respect and support we have lost.
KN: Do you think it would be a major problem getting all GCB members, including those who did not support your candidacy, to work together?
RA: I think that the members of the three county boards who did and did not support my presidency will quickly realize that they all have an integral role to play in the development of Guyana’s cricket. I believe that once they are “meaningfully” involved, they will forget any differences they might have had with me and participate in the development plans.
KN:  None of the three candidates are former National or County players so how important to your administration are former players with the technical ‘know how’ and experience?
RA: We must engage former county and national players to be a part of the planning of the development plans of the GCB and if possible sit on the executive.
KN: Is it realistic to believe that Guyana’s cricket (both on and off the field) can show a significant improvement over the next two years?
RA: Guyana’s cricket will improve over the next two years but we will need a unified executive team with strong corporate and government support to make this happen. I am positive I can bring this to the table.
KN: Do you feel your professional commitments (jobs) could affect your stint of GCB President in any way?  Or do you feel it could be advantageous to the GCB’s top position?
RA: My professional position will enhance the position of president of the GCB. My present position gives me access to senior government functionaries, corporate heads, media as well as key individuals in the cricket fraternity.

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