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Local cricket infraction ‘a serious embarrassment’
Dr. Ian McDonald
– says GCC oldest member, Dr. Ian McDonald
By Edison Jefford
Renowned literary figure, Dr. Ian McDonald called the cricket infraction an embarrassment and believes that stakeholders such as the Guyana Olympic Association (GOA) should get involved in negotiating renewed relationship among the warring factions.
McDonald posited the view Saturday night when he delivered the feature address at the Awards and Appreciation Evening of the GOA at the Georgetown Club where he revealed that he is one of the oldest members of the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC).
“I am a member of the Georgetown Cricket Club for 55 years, which I believe makes me one of the oldest members. What has been happening in the administration of (local) cricket is a serious embarrassment to say the least. It is absolutely mortifying to all lovers of this great game because the players and cricket itself are the losers while this destructive in-fighting goes on,” McDonald told an audience of sport enthusiasts, luminaries and guests.
Since the announcement of the Guyana Cricket Board Annual General Meeting and Election this year where current President, Chetram Singh revealed that he would not be seeking re-election to that office, there has been furore in the administration of cricket.
Bish Panday, Ramsay Ali and Bissoon Singh have indicated that they will contest the Presidency of the Guyana Board. Since then there has been public ramblings and separation of the Demerara Cricket Board into two factions, which is now before the High Court.
“Cannot the Olympic Association assume the role of custodian of the sport in Guyana that would be fitting and intervene to help broker peace and cooperation, and effect a renewal of good order and accountability on both sides,” McDonald asked in his address.
The Guyana Cricket Board is not a member of the GOA and McDonald’s recommended solution would have to be facilitated at the level of the Guyana Board, which could ask for Government’s intervention. GOA President, K.A. Juman-Yassin hinted such action.
Juman-Yassin stated during his remarks that while cricket is not an Olympic sport, it is a national sport and called on Government to intervene. Meanwhile, McDonald, who is the author of one of the most prized novels in the Caribbean, the Hummingbird Tree, and who is also multiple winner of the Guyana Prize for Literature, reminded his audience of the sanctity of cricket.
“You do well to love this cricket for it is more free from anything sordid, anything dishonourable than any game in the world. To play it keenly, honourably, generously, self-sacrificing is a moral lesson in itself, and the classroom is God’s air and sunshine. Foster it, my brothers, so that it may attract all who can find time to play it, protect it from anything that would sully it, so that it may grow in favour with all men,” McDonald quoted from Lord Harris-an early cricket administrator.
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