Letter to the Sports Editor WICB must urgently intervene to salvage the pride of Guyana’s cricket

Apr 26, 2014 Sports

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Dear Editor,
There has been magnanimous resentment from the local cricketing fraternity following the inexplicable and equally disastrous performance of the senior national cricket team in the just concluded regional four day tournament. The team not only remained at the bottom of the points standing after six matches, but they also failed to win any and lost four of them out-right. This has been the worst display by any standard by a national team in recent times and there are quite compelling reasons for such a drastic decline.
Foremost is that the cricketing administrative atmosphere is heavily clouded in uncertainty and signs of manipulative governance, the non- inclusion of key and critical structures such as the Berbice Cricket Board, Georgetown Cricket Association and the East Coast Cricket Board which collectively must be seen as the live wires of cricket in Guyana, the non-existence of a comprehensive cricketing plan and the poor functioning of the Cricket Development Committee previously headed by the now resigned but learned administrator Mr. Alfred Mentore. The appointment of an inexperienced Coach did not help the cause as well, since Mr. Esaun Crandon would have been recently playing with many of the players and certainly he has not developed the skill and authority quickly enough to draw the line as an experienced coach would.
So the length of time at which the players were trained, including the hiring of fitness trainers was only short term measure that the authorities presented to the players, instead of having a strategic work plan that should have been implemented since the previous year. I suppose the same process will occur again close to the next regional tournament.
Compounding such critical issues are irreversible facts such as the ECB that is only providing lip service but has no institutional voice, the BCB who has withdrawn its support and the DCB which is still to be legally instituted. So where is the intelligence and capacity building status of the GCB in order for it to effectively and efficiently function? It is against these worrying and growing signs of despair that I strongly conclude that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) must intervene to salvage any pride left in the administration of cricket in Guyana, albeit to legally address the GCB’s legitimacy.
I recalled previously and prior to the regional tournament that the Honorable Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony had pronounced that the WICB President Mr. Dave Cameron was to visit Guyana and it was his hope that key cricketing issues could be resolved. The current scenario should be of concern to him like those in Guyana and across the Caribbean. Mr. Cameron must address this issue soon, since a collective effort from all stakeholders should be the key towards recapturing the pride and passion that our cricketers played with, mainly for the pure love of the game and to proudly dignify their nationality with success.
I have enjoyed reading cricket statistician Sherwayne Walker’s recollection of history. His studious and profound display of former Guyana and West Indies all-rounder Roger Harper’s resounding exploits is quite phenomenal, including him being mentioned alongside the great Sir Garfield Sobers in achieving a rare feat of scoring a century and taking five wickets in a regional match. Why is such invaluable human resource being neglected?
I have even read a letter in one of the daily newspaper recently written by Mr. W.G. Boston which suggested that there are attempts by a group of individuals including members of the current regime to remove Mr. Harper as President of the Georgetown Cricket Association. If such claim is proven to be correct then our cricket is being plunged below the depths of the sea to be eaten by ravenous sharks. Ironically there are some of whom are swimming above the surface. The entire cricketing public respects Mr. Harper and he is a proven and professional leader. These attempts are only figments of the imagination of a group of current officials that have ruined the game and the psyche of many of the players. Further, they now want to impress by staging 20/20 tournaments and even leagues, give hand-outs (North Essequibo rejected a monetary sum because it did not recognize the GCB in its present form), yet there remains a myriad of problems to be solved without the requisite resources such as the likes of Roger Harper.
The CPL in collaboration with the WICB has sought the expertise of Mr. Harper because he is an outstanding Coach and Administrator. I can only envision therefore that under the tenure of Mr. Cameron whose winning platform was on the account of accountability, transparency and good governance that he will exult his leadership qualities to the fore. He has done so before by swiftly intervening and solving the crises within the Leeward Island Cricket Association. He therefore needs to act with the same vigor, regarding the administration of the GCB. Mr. Cameron should now be tasked or mandated by the WICB to take concrete steps towards salvaging the lost pride that so glowingly pervaded the rich history of Guyana’s cricket in the past.
Yours Faithfully,
Elroy Stephney

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