Ramsay Ali tells Michael Benjamin… Arduous journey to GCB Presidency but confident of ascending when smoke clears

May 22, 2011 Sports

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Fond memories of the era when West Indies cricketers ruled the roost was regurgitated at the Providence sward when the Darren Sammy led team defeated Pakistan with the captain himself leading from the front with a sterling 5-29 effort in the second innings.
While the cricket pundits were glorifying in the feat, the cynic was more restrained while advocating that one shower certainly does not make the rainy season.
That may be so but up to the time of writing this article the Windies were locked in a ferocious battle against the very Pakistanis as they seek to break the jinx that has reduced the regional side from a once powerful unit to the bottom of the test ladder.
It seems painfully obvious that Guyanese cricketers are anxious to emulate the regional team’s performance since it has been quite a while since they have won anything of substance on the cricket field.
This was not always the case as our cricketers defied the odds and captured the inaugural Allan Sanford 20/twenty tournament compliments of an electrifying strike by Narsingh Deonarine that sailed over the boundary line and sent the team and the entire Guyanese nation into throes of ecstasy.
This victory was further emulated when Guyanese cricketers defeated all comers in the region and won the inaugural WICB 20/twenty tournament thus earning the right to represent the region in the ICC Champions League cricket tournament in South Africa last year.
It is no secret that despite a formidable line-up that included Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lennox Cush, Christopher Barnwell and Travis Dowlin, the local team faltered and failed to register a win in the tournament.
The general consensus seemed to suggest that the local cricketers were affected by the bickering of their executives with some of the affiliates suggesting a new administration with fresh ideas.
Indeed, the above mentioned feats apart, local cricket has been taking a beating and from all appearances there has been more action in the offices, albeit derogatory, than on the field.
This behaviour was precipitated by the revelation of incumbent president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB), Chetram Singh’s disclosure that he was not interested in another term at the helm of that organization.
Subsequently, several aspirants indicated a desire to contest the post and each is saying that he has the right credentials for the job. Those individuals are Bissoondial Singh, Bishwa Panday and Ramsay Ali.
There has been much debate in the public sphere where all three aspirants bared their credentials for all to see and are hoping to influence the respective affiliates of the county boards.
Undoubtedly, all three gentlemen claim to be successful businessmen, but while this is commendable, it is not the sole criteria for occupying such an important position.
Notwithstanding this, Ramsay Ali, remains adamant that his vision for the advancement of the sport is sound and could precipitate the required reforms towards the reinstatement of local cricketers as a formidable force in the region.
Further, Mr. Ali is confident that with such achievements, the fortunes of the regional side would be improved by dint of a more qualitative pool from which to select.
“I am confident that I possess the administrative savvy coupled with the will and relevant resources to constitute the necessary changes on all fronts,” said Mr. Ali when Kaieteur Sport sought clarifications of his projections for the sport should he succeed in his presidential bid.
He is of the staunch belief that the answer to the resuscitation of the good fortunes of local players lies in the implementation of sound administrative tact.
It is this area in which he feels most competent to influence the support and consequent votes of the county boards.
Like any good administrator Mr. Ali plans to commence the rebuilding process from the nursery stages. “My immediate ploy would be to collaborate with officials of the Ministry of Education as well as those from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in the organization of a secondary school cricket competition,” exhorted Mr. Ali. He feels that such a ploy is necessary since it is in this area where the feeder programme for the development of local cricket lies.
“The school programme still exists but definitely there is room for improvement,” explained Mr. Ali. He is confident that with shrewd planning coupled with the requisite support from the corporate institutions and the aforementioned governmental entities that a Ramsay Ali led organization could instigate the return of such initiatives.
The acquisition of corporate funds would offset the costs related to the employment of coaches and equipment among others, Mr. Ali feels.
The top executive is also peeved over the minimal support garnered by the many first division clubs and he aspires to do something about it upon his ascension to the head of the GCB.
“The first division clubs need urgent help in the area of funding and I envision that with careful planning such goals could be realized to the benefit of all stakeholders,” he advocates.
The leading executive is also confident that he has the right connections to procure the requisite funding for his projections. “Admittedly, corporate funding is one of the key component if Guyana’s cricketers are to shine on the international pitches,” advocates Ali.
Towards this end he plans to recoup the support of yesteryear when local cricket was at its highest.
During those years, Mr. Ali had served as the Marketing Manager of the GCB and he asserts that the experience garnered during his lengthy tenure in this position would serve him well in the resuscitation of those viable initiatives.
Amidst such grandiose projections Mr. Ali admits that he must first convince the electorate that he has the will and the capacity to realize the goals he so grandly proposes.
Further, he is cognizant that there are two other notable candidates that are vying for the post. “I am confident that when my plans and projections are perused I would garner the votes to win the elections,” a confident Ali proclaimed.
Already, he has managed to clinch the support of the Essequibo Board which represents some nine votes. Should he amass a further five from Demerara and Berbice he would automatically ascend to the presidential seat.
While this sounds simple, a raging court battle has stymied the holding of elections and the respective aspirants will just have to wait until the legal ramifications have been ironed out.
“It pains me to see the state of affairs but I guess it is a necessary process towards the development of the sport,” Mr. Ali philosophized.
Notwithstanding this, he remains confident that when the smoke has cleared he would ascend to the presidential chair to institute the relevant changes towards the reinstatement of the sport.
“There is no question of my administrative ability nor can anyone dispute my honesty and integrity,” exhorts Mr. Ali.
The strength of this boast becomes even more obvious when one peruses his resume.
He is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of a highly successful company; a Vice President of the Georgetown Cricket Club; the Chairman of the Sacred Hearts Church rebuilding committee; a Vice President of the Scout Association of Guyana and a trustee of the Board of Directors of the Guyana Youth Business Trust.
Mr. Ali also boasts of involvement in a host of other prestigious institutions. That apart his key role in the successful organisation and staging of international cricket here over the years is a major point to note.
But amidst such awesome responsibilities could Ramsay Ali perform creditably if he wins the GCB elections.
“My experience in the administrative field coupled with my deep love for cricket and a deep seated anxiety to propel Guyana’s cricket forward are the variables I proffer in my bid to push Guyana’s cricket where it belongs, to the top of the ladder,” he asserts.
Amidst his ambitions and many projections Mr. Ali would have to wait a little longer until the legal and other ramifications has been sorted out.
That may be so but he believes that when the smoke clears he will prevail, not because of his popularity in the business community but basically because he possesses the will, resources and requisite tools to get the job done.

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