GCB stands by endorsement of President Ali despite APNU criticism

Jul 04, 2025 News

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Kaieteur News – The Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) has reaffirmed its endorsement of President Irfaan Ali for a second term, in direct response to calls from the opposition group, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), to withdraw the public endorsement.

In a press release on Wednesday, APNU condemned the GCB’s endorsement, calling it inappropriate and politically biased. The political party also said that the endorsement is a breach of the International Cricket Council’s code of conduct and could land the GCB in trouble.

“Without hesitation, we denounce this outrageous decision. We note that this endorsement is a logical follow-up to the occasion when the entire executive of the GCB wore red shirts when they called on President Ali after Bissoondyal Singh’s re-election in March 2025,” APNU said.

The endorsement came from GCB’s president, Bissoondyal Singh, who was re-elected in March 2025. Speaking at the Berbice Cricket Board’s annual awards ceremony on Monday at the St. Francis Community Developers in Rose Hall Town, Singh declared, “It is with absolute conviction and unwavering confidence that I, as president of the Guyana Cricket Board, and on behalf of its entire membership, hereby publicly and wholeheartedly endorse the leadership and presidency of H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali and that of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic.”

The APNU stated that such actions compromise the integrity of the board, especially regarding selection, financial administration, and alignment with international cricket norms.

The party also cited Article 2.4(d) of the ICC Constitution, which outlines strict prohibitions against political influence in cricket.

However, in a strongly worded statement, the GCB rejected the criticisms and expressed deep disappointment over APNU’s position. The board insisted its endorsement is not political, but rather a recognition of the President’s contributions to cricket development in Guyana.

“Let us be absolutely clear: the GCB is an autonomous, apolitical organization committed to the growth and development of cricket in Guyana. Our recognition of President Irfaan Ali is a reflection of his administration’s tangible, sustained, and unprecedented support for cricket and youth development across this nation. This acknowledgment is not political; it is a statement of fact,” the board said.

Addressing the claim of breaching ICC rules, the GCB countered that APNU was deliberately misleading the public. “What is outrageous is that APNU is intentionally trying to confuse the public by substituting ‘Government Assistance and Competence’ with ‘Government Involvement and Interference.’ We are not surprised.”

The GCB praised President Ali’s leadership, calling him “a leader of exceptional charisma, vision, and integrity,” and commended his open-door policy toward the cricket fraternity.

“His commitment to building One Guyana – a nation where all people, regardless of background, ethnicity, or political persuasion, have the opportunity to thrive – is well known. His support for sport, and cricket in particular, is driven by a genuine desire to uplift young people, promote national pride, and foster unity through positive engagement.”

The board highlighted key cricket-related developments under President Ali’s administration, including: Record budget allocations for sports and youth development, upgrades to sporting infrastructure, including cricket grounds and multipurpose facilities, construction of an international-standard Cricket Academy at Good Hope, provision of cricket kits to junior cricketers in all ten regions, and expansion of grassroots and youth cricket programmes.

In contrast, the GCB criticized the previous APNU administration for what it described as a lack of meaningful engagement with the cricket community. “Under President David Granger, … the Cricket Fraternity was able to secure only one meeting which ultimately proved unproductive and served no useful purpose. In fact, under APNU’s watch, the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport was relegated to a minuscule department within the Ministry of Education – a clear reflection of how little priority they placed on sport and youth development,” the board stated.

Defending its right to endorse the president, the GCB stated, “We wish to remind APNU that we have a right, as an independent and autonomous body, to express our views and our gratitude. It is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Constitution of Guyana – the supreme law of the land – and, unlike in the past, no one will deny us this right. Our support for President Ali’s leadership, although clearly envied by some, is a privilege that we exercise freely and proudly.”

The GCB further declared, “We stand resolute in our belief that President Irfaan Ali’s dedication to the development of cricket, sport, and youth in Guyana is unmatched.”

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• APNU criticism, Bissoondyal Singh, Guyana Cricket Board, People’s Progressive Party Civic, President Ali

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