-cites health and dissatisfaction with some executives
Just nine months after being elected to the position of president of the Berbice Cricket Board of Control (BCBC), Jafarally Asrafally has decided to call it a day.
Asrafally, a successful Corentyne businessman said he has resigned with immediate effect and cites his health and dissatisfaction with some executives of the BCBC as among the reasons for his decision.
“I am going to be honest and say that for the past 10 years, I feel to myself that I was one of the most vibrant persons on the executive of the BCBC, because cricket is a part of my life. I love the game of cricket and I want to help the younger generation who are interested in playing the game of cricket,” he told Stabroek Sport.
The 50-year-old father of five, who defeated the long-serving former president Malcolm Peters in the last election further added;“Since I have ascended to the presidency of the BCBC, I have taken ill more than I can recall in my entire 50 years, in the face of God’s earth and even as I speak with you here now, I am not in the best of health, so I thought it best to call it a day from the administrative level of cricket in the county.
“Apart from that, I am dissatisfied with the way some of my executives have been executing their duties on the board, as they sought to look after the interest of their clubs more than the development of the game of cricket in Berbice and that has disgusted me so much.
“I am really sorry that I cannot be there wholeheartedly for the game and give it my all due to my health condition, as it is my aim to assist youngsters, especially those who are really in need, as I like to be fair when doing so, but I feel to myself that it would be best if I step aside and let some other individual serve the BCBC as its president,” said Asrafally.
“It is with this in mind, that I decided to accept the nomination for the presidency, as I felt to myself that things were not going right and when given the post, I tried my best to serve with high dignity up until the time of my illness, which was a mere four months ago.
“Prior to being president of the BCBC, I served in the capacity of selector without fear or favour, contrary to many beliefs. I must say that during my tenure as president, even though it was a short-lived one, I was unable to execute some of my aims due to illness and I don’t feel that I should be continuing in that capacity if I am not in a position to serve and serve effectively.
“When it comes to me being dissatisfied with the execution of duties by some of the executives, I can say now that there are times when I am not being updated with certain information unless I call in for same or view it in the news, both print and electronic.”
Asrafally told Stabroek Sport vacating the post of president would leave a gap in the BCBC, but said that a lot of changes were needed if cricket in the Ancient County was to further develop.
“I think they need a lot of changes. I have been associated with the BCBC for a long time and the reason I accepted the nomination for the post of president was to effect those changes that needed to be as I was not satisfied with the way things were being done.
“They need to bring in new blood, as everybody who is there at the moment, a few would work along and another few would stand by the wayside and watch things deteriorate without saying a word of warning at least.”
He continued…“Some fought valiantly for their positions, with the aim of assisting with the development of the game which was one of our main objectives. But when they got there, they forgot all about such and focused on self and the club they are a part of, which is not right.”
“Everyone is affiliated to a club on the BCBC and if it should be a state of club first and cricket after, then the sport would definitely die a terrible death in Berbice.”
When asked if he accepted the presidency for a personal gain, Asrafally who is the father of the underrated national off spinner Imran Jafarally was quick to answer in the negative.
“I have never accepted the presidency for personal gains, contrary to many who thought so. Some say that I ran for the position for the sake of my son (Imran) but I want them to know that he has nothing to do with me accepting the position, and as a matter of fact, he was one of the persons along with my wife who persuaded me to make the decision of calling it quits today.”
Meanwhile, an official of the BCBC who chose to remain anonymous told Stabroek Sport that the resignation of Asrafally would definitely leave a hole in the BCBC.
“He has been vibrant prior to taking up the position of the presidency, and now with this resignation at such a point in the upward development of the game in the county, would definitely leave a hole at the administrative level.”
Asrafally told Stabroek Sport that he was always willing to help the BCBC in any way possible, once he has good health and may return as an executive in the new year as long as he is in good health and able to do so effectively as he has always does, without fear or favour.
