Some fundamental things are absolutely wrong with cricket in Demerara

Apr 18, 2011 Letters

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Dear Editor,
I have been following the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) ‘saga’ for a very long time now and I feel that I am obligated to make my concerns public and I am sure the general public would be astonished with the revelations.
The DCB consists of four associations namely the Georgetown Cricket Association (GCA), the East Coast Cricket Board (ECCB), the East Bank Demerara Cricket Association (EBDCA) and the West Demerara Cricket Association (WDCA). Each association has a mandate to promote and develop the sport in their respective area and to ensure transparency and fair play exist.
There are currently two factions in Demerara who are claiming legitimacy in terms of the Demerara Cricket Board with one election held at Lusignan and the other at Wales. Subsequently an injunction was filed and the Bissoondyal Singh led DCB was completely restrained.
Let us examine the two factions, it is clear that the Bissoondyal Singh faction is comprised mainly of Georgetown (GCA) and East Coast (ECCB) and the Raj Singh Faction is solely of West Demerara (WDCA) and East Bank (EBDCA). What is amazing is that the two minor associations (West Demerara and East Bank) achieved almost nothing for the past 10 years and was granted an injunction to block the two associations that actually kept the wheels of cricket turning in Demerara.
Over the past 10 years the West Demerara Cricket Association headed by Anand Sanasie and East Bank Demerara Cricket Association headed by Rohan Sarjoo did not produce a single player to represent Demerara nor Guyana.
A visit to the cricket grounds in those areas will shock you. Almost all on the East Bank are unplayable and the West Demerara is in a state of disrepair. As a matter of fact, persons who love the sport and reside in those areas are required to journey to Georgetown to ply their trade. Had it not been for businessman Mr. Barakat, who resides on the West Coast (not a member of any association), cricket would have been a thing of the past there.
What surprises me is that this group headed by overseas-based Guyanese Raj Singh (who resides in Cape Coral, Florida U.S.A.) was granted an injunction to halt the people that actually aggressively promot the sport in Demerara. By the way, how someone living overseas be allowed to serve on the Demerara Cricket Board? For example, the ‘saga’ of Rovin Stanley, who migrated to Canada and flew in specially to cast a vote at a meeting for the Raj Singh faction. I will address this lawlessness in another letter.
The successes in Georgetown and on the East Coast are no secret. Georgetown headed by former West Indies vice Captain Roger Harper is the largest in terms of first Division clubs and East Coast headed by businessman and former first division cricketer Bissoondyal Singh is the largest in terms of second Division teams with three first Division teams. Anyone who is familiar with cricket in Demerara will confirm this. The Demerarians who represented Guyana in the past 10 years either came from clubs on the East Coast or Georgetown.
This is extremely hurtful,
especially with all the commitment and dedication, the training programmes held by Georgetown Cricket Association, the coaching programmes and Cricket Academies (nine) held by the East Coast Cricket Board. The likes of Zaheer Mohamed, Brian Sattuar, Kumar Nandalall, Emran Khan, Kevin Bazil, Clive Andries, Krishna Deosarran, Kamesh Yadram, Abeena Parker, Devanie Sewnarine, Indomattie Goordial, Triolla Marshall, Faye Franklyn, Reneeka Isaacs and Darlene Gayle have all attended the East Coast Cricket Board Academy and went on to represent Guyana. Sarwan, Chanderpaul, Dowlin, Christian, Johnson, Griffith, Barnwell, Barrington, Vishal Singh, June Ogle, Joan Vancertima, Prudence Williams, June Thomas etc are from the Georgetown Cricket Association that went on to represent Guyana.
I conclude by saying that there is a need for radical change for the betterment of the sport and many prominent individuals, cricket fans etc. must be keen to see Guyana again be placed at the pinnacle.
What gives me optimism is that when you look at the quality of individuals pull together by Bissoondyal Singh and the information received from credible sources is that if his group is allowed to prevail, not only will there be a complete overhaul of the organisation, Mr. Roger Harper will be the Vice-President of the GCB responsible for cricket development and the newest West Indies Cricket Board Director and this ladies and gentlemen gives me hope at all levels.
Dr. Fidel A. Walton PhD

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