Colin Alfred defeated past president Davteerth Anandjit to win the presidency of the Guyana Cricket Umpires Council (GCUC) when that body held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and election of office bearers recently at the Guyana National News-papers Limited (GNNL) Sports Club, Lama Avenue.
There were three incumbents contesting the stewardship of the GCUC and Alfred came out on top with 21 votes from the 32 delegates who attended the meeting while Anandjit chalked up 11. The third contestant Krishna Lall did not get off the mark with the voters.
At the meeting, the cordial relationship between the GCUC and the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) was lauded.
And the GCB received honourable mention for the assistance given to the GCUC which enabled it to host the largest ever Umpires’ Convention of the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association last year in Guyana.
Meanwhile, some umpires took the opportunity to voice their concerns over appointments for certain cricket matches, while some others were dissatisfied with the selection of certain umpires for a set of matches.
Chairman of the selection committee for the umpires told those who voiced their concerns that it was impossible to satisfy every umpire and it was time the GCUC should begin their promotion process on certain umpires.
He also reminded the council of the fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) is now looking for the best umpire who is also youthful so he would be able to serve at the highest level for a long time.
The highlight of achievements by the past office bearers was the successful hosting of the 23rd Biennial Convention of the WICUA at which delegates from throughout the West Indies showered praise on the GCUC for a job well done in hosting the event.
Roshan Moakan (Berbice) and Dashroy Balgobin (Essequibo) are the two area vice presidents and Clyde Duncan the honorary secretary.
Edward Nicholls was returned unopposed as treasurer and Zabeer Zakier will serve as the assistant secretary/ treasurer. Grantley Culbard will perform the duties of Public Relations Officer (PRO).
There are four committee members in Anandjit, Shannon Crawford, Dhierendrenauth Somwaru and Clement Brusche.
Duncan was also congratulated on his achievement of gaining a place on the ICC panel of umpires. Duncan who is at present in Malaysia officiating in the ICC Under-19 World Cup is the second Guyanese to have achieved such status, following in the footsteps of the GCUC treasurer Eddie Nicholls.
Meanwhile, in its efforts to promote umpiring, the GCUC will be conducting courses for persons who are desirous of becoming umpires. This course is scheduled for May at the Demerara Cricket Club pavilion on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 17:00 to 19:00 h each day.
