President of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) and vice president of the Guyana Cricket Board (GCB) Alvin Johnson has put his ambition of becoming president of the GCB to rest for now.
The 51-year-old headmaster, who earlier this year told Stabroek Sports that he was undecided whether to contest the elections, has now officially withdrawn following incumbent GCB president Chetram Singh’s decision to contest the elections.
In a statement issued to the media yesterday Johnson stated: “Now that Chetram Singh has publicly announced that he is seeking re-election as president of the Guyana Cricket Board, I hereby forthwith withdraw as a candidate/contestant for the presidency.
“When I became a member of the Guyana Cricket Board in 2000, Mr. Singh made me feel comfortable and welcomed and has been very supportive towards me as vice president of the GCB. He is largely responsible for what I have achieved at the GCB,” said Johnson.
“I therefore feel committed at this crucial time, to support Mr. Singh instead of contesting against him. Mind you, this is my position and not the position of the Essequibo Cricket Board (ECB) of which I am the current president and whose elections are set for January 11, although I hope that the ECB members will do likewise, whosoever they are.”
Yesterday a high ranking West Demerara Cricket Board official declared that within another few days the Demerara Cricket Board (DCB) will be throwing its weight behind Singh.
But this has not been confirmed by president of the DCB Bissoondial Singh who returned to Guyana only Monday January 5, 2009 from vacation. Bissoondial Singh whose board elections are set for January 23 at the Wales Community Centre is confident of being re-elected but said that a divided presidency will not be good for cricket in Guyana.
Bisoondial Singh had earlier told this newspaper that for cricket to go forward in Guyana all three of the area boards (Essequibo, Demerara and Berbice) must collectively decide on who is the best candidate to fill that post.
Meanwhile Johnson will now concentrate on his re-election bid following information that the Wakenaam board has decided on a candidate to challenge him for the presidency.
Johnson, who has been president of the ECB for three terms is hoping to be elected on the back of the construction of the G$27M hostel and indoor/outdoor facility at Anna Regina on the Essequibo coast.
Last Saturday Chetram Singh indicated he would be seeking re-election to the post he has successfully held since 1991.
He is expected to face a strong challenge from present GCB secretary and Guyana Cricket Association (GCA) president Bishwa Panday.
The date for the GCB elections is January 25.
