Stanley was misleading

Feb 09, 2011 Sports

Dear Editor,
I wish to respond to the article published in the Kaieteur news Sunday, 6th February, 2011 captioned “Political clique blocks Cricket official from leaving Guyana”. It is amazing how Mr. Rovin Stanley can publicly malign a Minister of Government in such a horrible manner and nothing is done, more so getting Kaieteur news to carry this verbal abuse without clarifying with other board members.
Stanley said in the article, “Minister Irfaan Ali had asked to become Patron of the DCB and he, in the capacity of PRO, and Vice-President Anand Sanasie had disapproved, citing the inappropriateness of the move, given that Dr. Frank Anthony was the Minister of Sport.” “Minutes later Mr. Bissoondial Singh, who was then President of the DCB called me and asked for my approval for Minister Ali’s request, which I turned down.”
This however is far from the truth; in fact it is a blatant lie! Minister Irfaan Ali never asked to become a patron, it was some executives of the DCB who approached the Honourable Minister in August, 2009 at the Guyana National Stadium and requested that he become a patron since we believe that he is a lover of the sport and has been very successful in arranging regional cricket matches and we thought that having such a person as a patron would be a great asset to the Demerara Cricket Board. He told us that he would consider the kind gesture but explained that he was very busy.
The entire executive was contacted and the majority agreed to invite the Honourable Minister to be a patron. I as assistant secretary in the absence of the secretary Raj Singh was instructed to write the Honourable Minister inviting him to be a patron. This letter dated 23rd September, 2009 was sent to the Honourable Minister. Whilst he did not accept our offer, he elucidated that he would be glad to help whenever it is possible.
It is clear that Mr. Rovin Stanley has something against the Honourable Minister and it is not cricket related. Also this is the first time we are hearing about the involvement of the GRA Commissioner General, Mr. Kurshid Sattaur.
However, this atrocious allegation which emanated from a person who borrowed money and migrated, then took two days leave from his job in Canada at a request of his friend, flew in to vote at a Demerara Cricket Board meeting so that his friend can have a majority and attempted to leave without checking on his financial obligations, spoke volumes of his credibility. It is alleged that the total cost for the ‘first class’ round trip from Canada (including his family) cost more that what he said he owed the University of Guyana yet he had to borrow money to meet his commitment.
I have spoken to several executives who were on the Demerara Cricket Board at that time and they expressed shock and dismay at the disrespect shown to Honourable Minister, especially coming from Mr. Rovin Stanley.
May I, on behalf of several executives (of the previous Demerara Cricket Board) express regret at the malicious statement made by one our former colleagues and we sincerely issue an unqualified apology to Honourable Minister of Housing and Water Mr. Irfaan Ali.
Samaroo Jailal
Assistant Secretary
(Current and former DCB)

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