Letter to the Sports Editor…Alvin Johnson speaks out following Boston’s attack

Aug 23, 2013 Sports

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Dear Editor,
The attack that Mr Winston G Boston launched on me in his article titled “Alvin Johnson deliberately avoids the cricket conspiracy charges” In Kaieteur News of August 20, 2013 convinces me that Intikhab Sankar’s suggestion that he (Boston) seems to be the official mouthpiece of the disgruntled group. The content of his letter is consistent with the articulation of the very persons and since my inquiry has led me to Mr Boston’s link, it is a case of he who pays the piper calling the tune. If people are convinced about their views then they must do like me and affix their names.
My letter of August 16 sought to justify my continued appointment as manager since I was unjustly bundled with four others having been serving as manager of national teams since 2000; from 2000 to 2009 under Chetram Singh as President and Bishwa Panday as Secretary with some other executives being Terry Holder, Ronald Williams, Claude Raphael, Malcolm Peters and Carl Moore.
Why should I deal with the cricket conspiracy charges? At the last general meeting of the Guyana Cricket Board at which elections conducted by Christopher Matthias (Returning Officer) were held, I raised the concern about the continued allegation that the other party is in contempt of court and the very claim by the other party against the GCB. My concern was if there is a legitimate cause either way of contempt then why have the offending party not been charged? My conclusion is that there is no valid claim to contempt. At times we may have our own views but my presence at that AGM was an Essequibo Board position which I respected and so supported. And if the elections were illegal I am not aware of such a declaration by the court.
Now let me respond to Mr Boston’s recent letter which deemed me as being defensive rather than objective in my response. I repeat, I responded to the negative and belittling comment about me and not to the letter. However, since the entire August 20 letter targets me I am obliged to respond to issues of relevance.
When Clive Lloyd visited East Bank Essequibo with his Interim Management Committee during his outreach, I stated emphatically that fixing the Guyana Cricket Board requires fixing the Demerara Cricket Board simultaneously or even before, since Demerara’s problem has existed before the GCB Essequibo Cricket Board’s understanding was that the three County Boards were invited and even if one was absent the business of the GCB constitutionally would go on.
How can Mr Boston request of me to explain the appointment of Virendra Chintmani and Nazeer Mohamed as managers when I am not an executive member of the GCB? My common sense however tells me that Berbice did not turn up at the elections and in the eyes of Boston’s interest group the DCB is not in good stead, then Essequibo which is supportive and constitutionally in order was/is the best option.
Our coaching programme that Boston is questioning is the responsibility of the very GCB that is being undermined. When the GCB was fully recognised we found it difficult to acquire sponsors for a three day competition thus the GCB intervened financially and assisted, thus we were able to play a two-day competition. The individuals that Mr Boston represents know fully well the tremendous cost of administering cricket in Essequibo. A return trip for a team from Bartica to Pomeroon, involving meals can sponsor an entire tournament in Demerara (travelling, balls and umpiring).
I would be the first to agree that our cricket standard has consistently been very low for a long time and therefore need the parent board’s positive input. Mr Pat Rosseau, when he was president of the West Indies Cricket Board, did make out a case for the smaller islands within the Windwards and Leewards which resulted in increased funding and other support which eventually bore fruit. Today the Windwards is a force to reckon with although the Leewards has declined. And Mr Boston, please be informed that it is only this year that we could not find the full compliment for a female team thus, some players from Demerara joined us.
The late Morris Brandon successfully served as Secretary and Administrator of the Essequibo Cricket Board for several years. I have ensured that Mr Christiani is no longer serving in multiple capacities.
I am glad you have mentioned that during my Presidency of the Essequibo Cricket Board I seldom visited area committees and not say that I never. Cost has always and will continue to be the deciding factor. However, during my ten years we had more general and executive meetings than we do now.
As the mouthpiece they have proudly given you the elections 2009 results right 14 to 2 in favour of Mr Sheikh (Asif) Ahamad as ECB president. You should therefore ask him to explain all your financial concerns during his tenure and not me. But you know what Mr Boston the very persons you have written on behalf were my staunch supporters and campaigners and were even at the elections because my victory would have been in their interest. After that election I got no more than two phone calls from them and I was let go… no more votes to give them. At the 2010 GCB appointment of Under-19 manager they voted against me but were outvoted, but in 2011they successfully achieved their goal so they are annoyed that I returned in 2012 and much stronger in 2013.
Cricket has allowed me to interact with a lot of people locally and in the Caribbean and to understand organizational politics… we talk about others but not ourselves. Our actions speak of us.
The three West Indies Cricket Board meetings that I represented the Guyana Cricket Board as an Alternated Director, has helped me to deal with the cricket politics. I trust that when my time is over that I would let go gracefully and not be as bitter as those who I thought were my friends. Until such time I will continue to support cricket and those who genuinely do.
As to what Mr Boston writes hereafter I will not respond.
Alvin Johnson

 

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